Compositions and methods for treating central nervous system injury

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes compositions and method for improving outcomes after injury to the central nervous system wherein complement signaling is activated. In one aspect, the method comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent comprising a targeted inhibitor molecule comprising a targeting portion and an inhibitor portion, wherein the molecule inhibits complement, and wherein therapeutic agent is administered in combination with rehabilitation therapy or thrombolytic agent.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.16/342,853, as filed on Apr. 17, 2019, which is a 371 Application ofPCT/US2017/056912, filed on Oct. 17, 2017, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/409,196 filed Oct. 17, 2016, the contents of which areincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support under 1P20GM109040-01awarded by the National Institute of Health. The government has certainrights in the invention.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

This application contains a Sequence Listing in computer readable form,which has been submitted electronically via EFS-web in ASCII format.Said ASCII copy, created on May 14, 2021, is named 132301-00602_SL andis 115,780 bytes in size. The computer readable form of the sequencelisting is part of the specification or is otherwise incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, ischemic stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in theU.S. and is also a major cause of long-term disability in the U.S andworldwide. Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury are also majorcauses of disability worldwide, especially among children and youngadults, and such injuries are also prominent types of combat-relatedinjury.

Following onset of cerebral ischemia, many stroke patients showreperfusion of their infarct either spontaneously or as a secondaryeffect of thrombolytic therapy. Cerebral reperfusion initiates a cascadeof pathophysiological events that cause secondary injury, which can leadto greater tissue damage and more severe functional and cognitivedeficit. Clinical observation and experimental studies indicate acentral role for complement in the propagation of ischemia reperfusioninjury (IRI) in both central nervous system (CNS) and in non-CNS tissue.

Despite efforts to develop effective strategies for treatment of stroke,the field remains hampered by the necessity to initiate treatmentimmediately after onset.

Thus there is a need in the art for improved compositions and methodsfor treating stroke. The present invention satisfies this unmet need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a composition for treatingcentral nervous system injury comprising: (a) a targeted inhibitormolecule comprising a targeting portion and an inhibitor portion,wherein the molecule inhibits complement signaling; and (b) athrombolytic agent.

In one embodiment, the targeting portion comprises an antibody orfragment thereof that specifically binds to Annexin IV, apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,or a phospholipid. In one embodiment, the inhibitor portion comprises atleast one, or a fragment thereof, selected from the group consisting ofFH, DAF, MCP, CD59, Crry, MAp44, and CR1.

In one embodiment, the thrombolytic agent is t-PA.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for treatingcentral nervous system injury in a subject comprising: (a) administeringto the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compositioncomprising a targeted inhibitor molecule comprising a targeting portionand an inhibitor portion, wherein the molecule inhibits complementsignaling; and (b) providing rehabilitation therapy to the subject.

In one embodiment, the injury is ischemic stroke. In one embodiment, theinjury is traumatic brain injury. In one embodiment, the injury isspinal cord injury.

In one embodiment, the targeting portion comprises an antibody orfragment thereof that specifically binds to Annexin IV, apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,or a phospholipid. In one embodiment, the inhibitor portion comprises atleast one selected from the group consisting of FH, DAF, MCP, CD59,Crry, MAp44, and CR1.

In one embodiment, the rehabilitation therapy comprises at least onetherapy selected from the group consisting of cognitive and motortherapy.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for treatingcentral nervous system injury in a subject comprising: (a) administeringto the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compositioncomprising a targeted inhibitor molecule comprising a targeting portionand an inhibitor portion, wherein the molecule inhibits complementsignaling; and (b) administering to the subject a composition comprisinga thrombolytic agent.

In one embodiment, the injury is ischemic stroke. In one embodiment, theinjury is traumatic brain injury. In one embodiment, the injury isspinal cord injury.

In one embodiment, the targeting portion comprises an antibody orfragment thereof that specifically binds to Annexin IV, apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,or a phospholipid. In one embodiment, the inhibitor portion comprises atleast one selected from the group consisting of FH, DAF, MCP, CD59,Crry, MAp44, and CR1.

In one embodiment, the thrombolytic agent is t-PA.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of theinvention will be better understood when read in conjunction with theappended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, thereare shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. Itshould be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown inthe drawings.

FIG. 1 , comprising FIG. 1A through FIG. 1E illustrates results fromexperiments demonstrating that the combination of B4Crry and t-PAreduces t-PA associated hemorrhage and improves survival whenadministered 2 hours after stroke. FIG. 1A depicts Kaplan-Meyer survivalcurves showing comparable acute survival up to 3-days after microemboliadministration. Mantel-Cox (log-rank) comparison. N=6/group. FIG. 1Bdepicts hemoglobin content in the ipsilateral hemisphere 48 hours afterMCAO showing a significant reduction in hemoglobin by B4Crry alone or incombination with t-PA but not by t-PA alone. One-way ANOVA withBonferroni's test for multiple comparisons. N=6/group. *P<0.05 and**P<0.01 compared to vehicle. $P<0.05 compared to t-PA only. FIG. 1Cdepicts results from C3a ELISA performed 48 hours after microemboliadministration and homogenization of the ipsilateral hemisphere showingsignificant effect of B4Crry and not t-PA on reducing post-strokecomplement C3 cleavage. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test formultiple comparisons. N=6/group. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 compared tovehicle. $P<0.05 compared to t-PA only. FIG. 1D depicts neurologicaldeficit of animals 72 hours after microemboli administration showingsignificant reduction in deficits in all three treatment groups.Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's test for multiple comparisons.N=8/group. *P<0.05. ***P<0.001. FIG. 1E depicts infarct volume assessedby TTC staining showing a significant reduction in infarct in alltreatment groups at 72 hours after microemboli administration. One-wayANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiple comparisons. N=6/group.*P<0.05 and **P<0.01 compared to vehicle.

FIG. 2 , comprising FIG. 2A through FIG. 2E illustrates results fromexperiments demonstrating that the combination of B4Crry and t-PAreduces t-PA associated hemorrhage and improves survival whenadministered 4 hours after stroke. FIG. 2A depicts Kaplan-Meyer survivalcurves showing reduction in survival with t-PA therapy that is nearlystatistically significant. Mantel-Cox (log-rank) comparison. N=6/group.P=0.08. FIG. 2B illustrates hemoglobin content in the ipsilateralhemisphere 48 hours after MCAO showing a significant increase inhemoglobin by t-PA alone that is reversed in animals receivingco-treatment with B4Crry. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test formultiple comparisons. N=6/group. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 compared tovehicle. $P<0.05 compared to t-PA only. FIG. 2C depicts results from C3aELISA performed 48 hours after microemboli administration showingcomparable levels of C3a in vehicle and t-PA treated animals and a nearsignificant reduction in levels in animals treated with B4Crry. One-wayANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiple comparisons. N=6/group. P=0.07B4Crry+t-PA compared to t-PA only. FIG. 2D depicts neurological deficitof animals 72 hours after microemboli administration showing significantreduction in deficits in all three treatment groups. Kruskal-Wallis testwith Dunn's test for multiple comparisons. N=8/group. *P<0.05.***P<0.001. FIG. 2E depicts infarct volume assessed by TTC stainingshowing a significant reduction in infarct only in animals co-treatedwith B4Crry and t-PA. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiplecomparisons. N=6/group. *P<0.05 compared to vehicle.

FIG. 3 , comprising FIG. 3A through FIG. 3E illustrates results fromexperiments demonstrating that the combination of B4Crry and t-PAreduces t-PA associated hemorrhage and improves survival whenadministered 6 hours after stroke. FIG. 3A depicts Kaplan-Meyer survivalcurves showing significant reduction in survival compared to vehicle inanimals treated with t-PA but not co-treated with B4Crry. Mantel-Cox(log-rank) comparison. N=6/group. *P<0.05. FIG. 3B depicts Hemoglobincontent in the ipsilateral hemisphere 48 hours after MCAO showing asignificant increase in hemoglobin by t-PA alone that is reversed inanimals receiving co-treatment with B4Crry. One-way ANOVA withBonferroni's test for multiple comparisons. N=6/group. *P<0.05 and***P<0.001 compared to vehicle. $P<0.05 compared to t-PA only. FIG. 3Cdepicts results from a C3a ELISA performed 48 hours after microemboliadministration showing comparable levels of C3a in vehicle and t-PAtreated animals and a significant reduction in levels in animals treatedwith B4Crry. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiplecomparisons. N=6/group. $P<0.05 compared to t-PA only. FIG. 3D depictsresults indicating neurological deficit of animals 72 hours aftermicroemboli administration showing significant reduction in deficitsonly in animals receiving co-therapy compared to vehicle controls.Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn's test for multiple comparisons.N=8/group. *P<0.05. FIG. 3E depicts infarct volume assessed by TTCstaining showing a significant reduction in infarct in animalsco-treated with B4Crry and t-PA compared to vehicle or t-PA only.One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiple comparisons.N=6/group. **P<0.01 compared to vehicle. $P<0.05 compared to t-PA only.

FIG. 4 , comprising FIG. 4A through FIG. 4H is a set of images depictingresults from experiments determining optimal motor and cognitiverecovery after embolic stroke in response to B4Crry, t-PA, andrehabilitation. Animals were subjected to microembolic stroke, treatedwith t-PA or vehicle at 2 hours and assessed over 30 days. FIG. 4Adepicts a Kaplan-Meyer survival curve showing that animals treated withB4Crry and t-PA have significantly better 30-day survival compared tovehicle after microembolic stroke and standard care (No rehabilitation).Mantel-Cox (log-rank) test. N=8-12/group. *P<0.05. FIG. 4B depictsneurological deficit scores showing that B4Crry, t-PA and moreeffectively their combination significantly improve recovery of functiondeficits over 30 days of recovery after microembolic stroke and standardcare. Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni's test for multiplecomparisons. N-8-12/group. *P<0.05. **P<0.05. FIG. 4C depicts normalizedlaterality index on corner task showing a similar improvement in forearmlaterality with the different treatments compared to vehicle supportingthe findings on neurological deficits. Two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni'stest for multiple comparisons. N=8/group. *P<0.05. **P<0.05. FIG. 4Ddepicts cognitive performance as assessed by Barnes maze showingsignificantly faster acquisition and retention of spatial memory inanimals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry in combination with t-PA but nott-PA alone. Two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiplecomparisons. N-8/group. *P<0.05. **P<0.05. FIG. 4E and FIG. 4F depictresults from experiments where animals were subjected to microembolicstroke, treated with t-PA or vehicle at 2 hour, assigned torehabilitation cages (enriched environment) and assessed over 30 days.FIG. 4E depicts a Kaplan-Meyer survival curve showing that animalstreated with B4Crry and t-PA have significantly better 30-day survivalcompared to vehicle. Mantel-Cox (log-rank) test. N=8-12/group. *P<0.05.FIG. 4F depicts Neurological deficit scores showing that B4Crry, t-PAand more effectively their combination significantly improve recovery offunction deficits over 30 days of recovery. Kruskal-Wallis test withBonferroni's test for multiple comparisons. N=8-12/group. *P<0.05.**P<0.05. FIG. 4G depicts normalized laterality index on corner taskshowing a similar improvement in forearm laterality with the differenttreatments compared to vehicle supporting the findings on neurologicaldeficits. Comparison to standard housing was performed for eachtreatment group showing a significant reduction in motor deficits inanimals treated with rehabilitation compared to standard housingstarting day 7 after stroke. Two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test formultiple comparisons. N=8/group. *P<0.05. **P<0.05. $P<0.05 $$P<0.01compared to standard housing for each treatment category. FIG. 4Hdepicts cognitive performance as assessed by Barnes maze showingsignificantly faster acquisition and retention of spatial memory inanimals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry in combination with t-PA but nott-PA alone. Two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test for multiplecomparisons. N=8/group. *P<0.05. **P<0.05. Comparison betweenrehabilitation and standard housing for each treatment group showed asignificant improvement in cognitive performance on Barnes maze oncerehabilitation is added to either treatment option. Two-way ANOVA withBonferroni's test for multiple comparisons. N-8/group. $P<0.05.

FIG. 5 , comprising FIG. 5A through FIG. 5M, depicts resultsillustrating the efficacy of B4Crry in improving chronic outcomes inMiddle Cerebral Artery Occlusion model (MCAO) of ischemic stroke with 60minutes of ischemia. FIG. 5A is a graph illustrating daily neurologicaldeficit score, showing that unlike B4scFv, B4Crry treatment at either 2hours or 6 hours after ischemia resulted in a significant acutereduction in deficit compared to vehicle controls which was sustainedthroughout 15 days of recovery. Repeated measures two-way ANOVA withBonferroni. N=9 (B4scFv, B4Crry (6 hours)). N=13 (Vehicle, B4Crry (2hours). {circumflex over ( )}{circumflex over ( )}{circumflex over( )}p<0.001 comparing vehicle to B4scFv and B4Crry (2 hours). ***P<0.001comparing vehicle to B4Crry (2 hours) and B4Crry (6 hours). FIG. 5Bthrough Figure SE is a set of images depicting animals treated withB4Crry (2 or 6 hours after ischemia) showing significant reduction inforelimb laterality (corner task, FIG. 5B), significant improvement inskilled handling (pasta task, FIG. 5C), significant improvement inspatial learning (Barnes maze, FIG. 5D) and significant improvement inmemory retention (passive avoidance, FIG. 5E) with B4Crry treatment ateither 2 or 6 hours after ischemia compared to vehicle throughout 15days of recovery after MCAO. Two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni. N=8-12. *p<0.05.**p<0.01. FIG. 5F depicts the effect of B4Crry administered at 2 or 6hours after stroke showing significant reduction in lesion volumecalculated through 3D-reconstruction of lesions from Nissl stained brainsections at 15 days after MCAO. ANOVA, Bonferroni. N=9-13. *p<0.05.****p<0.0001. FIG. 5G through FIG. 5J depicts the protective effects ofB4Crry administered 24 hours after MCAO on reducing lesion volume (Nisslstain, FIG. 5G), reducing neurological deficits (FIG. 5H) and forelimblaterality (corner test, FIG. 5I), and improving spatial learning andmemory (Barnes maze, FIG. 5J) compared to vehicle. Student's t-test.N=6-12/group. *p<0.05. **p<0.01. ***p<0.001. FIG. 5K and FIG. 5L depictsthe effect of B4Crry (administered 2 hours after MCAO) on neurologicaldeficits (FIG. 5K) and lesion volume (FIG. 5L) in adult female mice.Two-way ANOVA (FIG. 5K), t-test (FIG. 5L). N=7-8/group. *p<0.05.**p<0.01. FIG. 5M depicting the effect of B4Crry (administered 2 hoursafter MCAO) on survival of aged (10 months old) mice after MCAO.Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test, N=6/group, *p<0.05.

FIG. 6 , comprising FIG. 6A through FIG. 6C depicts the effects ofB4Crry on markers of inflammation 15 days after MCAO in mice. FIG. 6Adepicts the quantification, using mean grid intersects, of IgM andcomplement (C3d) deposition in the brain after MCAO and treatment withvehicle or B4Crry (2 hours after MCAO) using immunofluorescencestaining. Student's t-test, N=6 animals (2 fields/animal), ***p<0.001.FIG. 6B shows immunofluorescence of inflammatory microglia (using Mac2as a marker) and anti-inflammatory microglia (using Ym1 as a marker) inthe brain 15 days after MCAO showing the B4Crry reduces the activationof inflammatory microglia during chronic recovery. FIG. 6C illustratesimmunofluorescence of inflammatory microglia (using Iba1 as a marker),neurons (Neurotrace as a marker), dendrites (MAP-2 as a marker), andDAPI as a nuclear stain. The figure shows extensive microgliaproliferation that is associated with loss of neurons and dendrites inthe perilesional basal ganglia, hippocampus and cortex at 15 days afterMCAO, a process that is interrupted by acute B4Crry treatment.

FIG. 7 , comprising FIG. 7A through FIG. 7C, depicts the results ofexample experiments demonstrating that the C2-Crry complement inhibitorimproves survival and neurological function post-stroke. FIG. 7Ademonstrates that C2-Crry increases post-stroke survival. FIG. 7Bdemonstrates that C2-Crry improves neurological deficit after stroke.FIG. 7C demonstrates that C2-Crry improves post-stroke memory retentionin passive avoidance test.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary nucleic acid sequence and amino acidsequence for B4Crry.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary nucleic acid sequence and amino acidsequence for C2Crry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides compositions and methods for treatingcentral nervous system injury, including, but not limited to, stroke,traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. For example, the presentinvention is based upon the discovery that complement inhibitionsignificantly reduces acute mechanisms of degeneration following stroke.For example, it is demonstrated herein that complement inhibitionreduces infarct volume and improves functional recovery after stroke.Further, it is demonstrated herein that complement inhibition can beused as an adjuvant therapy in combination with standard stroketherapies to improve patient outcome. Therefore, the present inventionprovides methods for improving motor recovery, cognitive recovery, andsurvival after injury to the central nervous system.

In one aspect, the method provides for the use of a complement inhibitorto enhance the response and efficacy of rehabilitation therapy (bothcognitive and motor) following central nervous system injury. It isdemonstrated herein that a targeted complement inhibitor that inhibitsthe complement signaling significantly improves rehabilitation-inducedmotor and cognitive recovery as measured up to 15 days after stroke. Themethod provides for an effective treatment even when the complementinhibitor is administered as late as about 90 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours,6, hours, or 24 hours after injury, which is an improvement over thestandard of care where t-PA must be administered with 3 hours of stroke.Thus, the present invention allows for an increase in the availabletreatment window for central nervous system injury.

In one aspect, the present invention provides for compositions andmethods related to the use of targeted complement inhibition as anadjuvant therapy in combination with a thrombolytic agent to improveoutcome after central nervous system injury.

A potential problem in the translation of a complement inhibitorstrategy to the clinic is the immunosuppressive effect of systemiccomplement inhibition. Also, complement has important roles inhomeostatic and physiological functions such immune complex catabolism,clearance of dead and dying cells, tissue repair, modulation of adaptiveimmunity, neuroregenerative processes and host defense. Other importantconcerns regarding the use of systemic complement inhibition relate toefficacy and biodistribution. An approach to alleviate the concerns ofsystemic inhibition described herein specifically targets complementinhibition to sites of complement activation. In this approach, anantibody or fragment thereof that recognizes Annexin IV, apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,or a phospholipid is linked to a complement inhibitor. It isdemonstrated that site-specific targeting of a complement inhibitorobviates the need for systemic inhibition and increases bioavailabilityand efficacy, without affecting susceptibility to infection, unlikesystemic complement inhibition.

In certain instances, the targeting strategy described herein isadvantageous for treating and preventing central nervous system injury.First, it will target the proximal event in complement activation, anddoes not depend on prior complement activation (unlike CR2). Second, thetargeting vehicle itself contributes to therapeutic activity by blockingthe binding of complement activating pathogenic IgM, which in turnreduces the binding of C1q and MBL, which can impact inflammation,endothelial activation, cell trafficking, and Ag-presentation. Third, itis likely less immunosuppressive since not all sites of infection and C3deposition will be targeted with complement inhibition. Fourth, it doesnot limit expression of its own ligand.

Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methodsand materials are described.

As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associatedwith it in this section.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to morethan one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of thearticle. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more thanone element.

“About” as used herein when referring to a measurable value such as anamount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompassvariations of ±20%, ±10%, ±5%, ±1%, or ±0.1% from the specified value,as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods.

The term “subacute phase” is used herein to describe the periodfollowing the incident of a stroke that includes 7 days following anischemic event or injury.

There term “in combination with” is used herein to that the indicatedtreatments are administered concurrently or that

A “disease” is a state of health of an animal wherein the animal cannotmaintain homeostasis, and wherein if the disease is not ameliorated thenthe animal's health continues to deteriorate.

The terms “effective amount” and “pharmaceutically effective amount” or“therapeutically effective amount” refer to a sufficient amount of anagent to provide the desired biological result. That result can bereduction and/or alleviation of a sign, symptom, or cause of a diseaseor disorder, or any other desired alteration of a biological system. Anappropriate effective amount in any individual case may be determined byone of ordinary skill in the art using routine experimentation.

The term “fusion protein” used herein refers to two or more peptides,polypeptides, or proteins operably linked to each other.

An “individual” is a vertebrate, preferably a mammal, more preferably ahuman. Mammals include, but are not limited to, farm animals, sportanimals, pets, primates, mice and rats. In some embodiments, theindividual is human. In some embodiments, the individual is anindividual other than human.

The term “inhibit,” as used herein, means to suppress or block anactivity or function relative to a control value. Preferably, theactivity is suppressed or blocked by 10% compared to a control value,more preferably by 50%, and even more preferably by 95%.

Unless otherwise specified, a “nucleotide sequence encoding an aminoacid sequence” includes all nucleotide sequences that are degenerateversions of each other and that encode the same amino acid sequence. Thephrase nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein or an RNA may alsoinclude introns to the extent that the nucleotide sequence encoding theprotein may in some version contain an intron(s).

As used herein, the terms “peptide,” “polypeptide,” and “protein” areused interchangeably, and refer to a compound comprised of amino acidresidues covalently linked by peptide bonds. A protein or peptide mustcontain at least two amino acids, and no limitation is placed on themaximum number of amino acids that can comprise a protein's or peptide'ssequence. Polypeptides include any peptide or protein comprising two ormore amino acids joined to each other by peptide bonds. As used herein,the term refers to both short chains, which also commonly are referredto in the art as peptides, oligopeptides and oligomers, for example, andto longer chains, which generally are referred to in the art asproteins, of which there are many types. “Polypeptides” include, forexample, biologically active fragments, substantially homologouspolypeptides, oligopeptides, homodimers, heterodimers, variants ofpolypeptides, modified polypeptides, derivatives, analogs, fusionproteins, among others. The polypeptides include natural peptides,recombinant peptides, synthetic peptides, or a combination thereof.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein, refers to agentsthat, within the scope of sound medical judgment, are suitable for usein contact with tissues of human beings and/or animals without excessivetoxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem orcomplication, commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.

The terms “subject,” “patient,” “individual,” and the like are usedinterchangeably herein, and refer to any animal, or cells thereofwhether in vitro or in situ, amenable to the methods described herein.In certain non-limiting embodiments, the patient, subject or individualis a human.

The term “sub-therapeutic” as used herein means a treatment at a doseknown to be less than what is known to induce a therapeutic effect.

The term “therapeutic” as used herein means a treatment and/orprophylaxis. A therapeutic effect is obtained by suppression, remission,or eradication of a disease state.

The term “therapeutic agent” use herein refers to any agent that has atherapeutic effect and/or elicits a desired biological and/orpharmacological effect, when administered to a subject. In someembodiments, an agent is considered to be a therapeutic agent if itsadministration to a relevant population is statistically correlated witha desired or beneficial therapeutic outcome in the population, whetheror not a particular subject to whom the agent is administeredexperiences the desired or beneficial therapeutic outcome.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein, means anamount that is sufficient, when administered to a population sufferingfrom or susceptible to a disease, disorder, and/or condition inaccordance with a therapeutic dosing regimen, to treat the disease,disorder, and/or condition (e.g., host versus graft disease). In someembodiments, a therapeutically effective amount is one that reduces theincidence and/or severity of, and/or delays onset of, one or moresymptoms of the disease, disorder, and/or condition. Those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the term “therapeuticallyeffective amount” does not in fact require successful treatment beachieved in a particular individual. Rather, a therapeutically effectiveamount may be that amount that provides a particular desiredpharmacological response in a significant number of subjects whenadministered to patients in need of such treatment. It is specificallyunderstood that particular subjects may, in fact, be “refractory” to a“therapeutically effective amount.” To give but one example, arefractory subject may have a low bioavailability such that clinicalefficacy is not obtainable. In some embodiments, reference to atherapeutically effective amount may be a reference to an amount asmeasured in one or more specific tissues (e.g., a tissue affected by thedisease, disorder or condition) or fluids (e.g., blood, saliva, serum,sweat, tears, urine, etc.). Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that, in some embodiments, a therapeutically effective agentmay be formulated and/or administered in a single dose. In someembodiments, a therapeutically effective agent may be formulated and/oradministered in a plurality of doses, for example, as part of a dosingregimen.

A “vector” is a composition of matter which comprises an isolatednucleic acid and which can be used to deliver the isolated nucleic acidto the interior of a cell. Numerous vectors are known in the artincluding, but not limited to, linear polynucleotides, polynucleotidesassociated with ionic or amphiphilic compounds, plasmids, and viruses.Thus, the term “vector” includes an autonomously replicating plasmid ora virus. The term should also be construed to include non-plasmid andnon-viral compounds which facilitate transfer of nucleic acid intocells, such as, for example, polylysine compounds, liposomes, and thelike. Examples of viral vectors include, but are not limited to,adenoviral vectors, adeno-associated virus vectors, retroviral vectors,lentiviral vectors, and the like.

Ranges: throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention canbe presented in a range format. It should be understood that thedescription in range format is merely for convenience and brevity andshould not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be consideredto have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well asindividual numerical values within that range. For example, descriptionof a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specificallydisclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numberswithin that range, for example, 1, 2, 2.7, 3, 4, 5, 5.3, and 6. Thisapplies regardless of the breadth of the range.

Description

This invention describes a therapeutic composition and method related tothe use of targeted complement inhibition as an adjuvant therapy incombination with one or more treatment regimens to improve outcome aftercentral nervous system injury such as ischemic stroke, traumatic braininjury, or spinal cord injury. The present invention relates tocompositions and methods for improving the recovery from ischemicstroke, and restoring cerebral function by reducing the risk ofstroke-induced damage.

In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to a subject acomposition comprising a complement-targeted inhibitor in combinationwith rehabilitation for use in enhancing recovery following centralnervous system injury. In certain embodiments, the complement inhibitoris a composite molecule comprised of a targeting portion and aninhibitor portion wherein the composite molecule targets complementpathways. In certain embodiments, the targeting portion comprises anantibody or a fragment thereof that specifically binds to Annexin IV, apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,or a phospholipid.

In one embodiment, the method comprises administering a compositioncomprising a complement-targeted inhibitor in combination withrehabilitation therapy. In some instances, the rehabilitation therapy ismotor and cognitive therapy. In one embodiment, rehabilitation therapycomprises environmental enrichment.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a composition usedto treat a subject that has suffered an ischemic stroke, traumatic braininjury, or spinal cord injury. In one embodiment, the compositionmodulates signaling of complement pathways. In certain instances, thecomposition of the present invention comprises a composite moleculecomprising a targeting portion and an inhibitor portion. In particular,the targeting portion directs the compound of the present invention tocomplement pathways and the inhibitor portion directs the compound toinhibit complement signaling. In certain embodiments, the targetingportion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof that specificallybinds to Annexin IV, a post-translational modification found on AnnexinIV and other proteins, or a phospholipid. In some instances, theinhibiting portion is selected from a list comprising but not limited toFactor H (FH), Crry, DAF, MCP, MAp44, and CR1.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises a composite molecule and athrombolytic agent. Exemplary thrombolytic agents include, but is notlimited to, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), urokinase,anistreplase, ancrod, and brinase. It is demonstrated herein that theuse of the composite molecule as an adjuvant therapy in combination witht-PA provides improved protection and decreased mortality compared tot-PA alone.

Targeted Complement Inhibitor

In some embodiments, there is provided a molecule (or a compositioncomprising the molecule such as a pharmaceutical composition), whereinthe molecule comprises (a) an antibody or a fragment thereof, whereinthe antibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to Annexin IV, apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,or a phospholipid; and (b) an inhibitor portion.

In some embodiments, the antibody or a fragment thereof specificallybinds to a post-translational modification, including, but not limitedto, glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation,myristoylation, prenylation, palmitation, amidation, and lipidation, ofone or more residues of a protein.

In some embodiments, the molecule comprises an inhibitor portion (suchas a complement modulator, for example a complement inhibitor). In someembodiments, the molecule is a fusion protein. In some embodiments, theantibody or fragment thereof (hereinafter also referred to as the“targeting portion” and the inhibitor portion are linked via a linker(such as a peptide linker). In some embodiments, the targeting portionand inhibitor portion are directly linked.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody orfragment thereof, wherein the antibody or fragment there of comprises:(i) a light chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1,a sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, or a sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and/or (ii)heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:4, asequence of SEQ ID NO:5, or a sequence of SEQ ID NO:6.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins; wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises: (i) a light chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO:7, a sequence of SEQ ID NO:8, or a sequence of SEQID NO:9; and/or (ii) heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequenceof SEQ ID NO: 10, a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11, or a sequence of SEQ IDNO: 12. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereofcompetitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such asmonoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibodyor fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody(such as a monoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell (and/or in apathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as a mammaliancell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins; wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises: (i) a light chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ii) a light chain variable domain comprisinga sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and (iii) a light chain variable domaincomprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:3. In some embodiments, the targetingportion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, wherein theantibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to Annexin IV or apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins;wherein the antibody or fragment there of comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; (ii) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8; and (iii) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:9. In someembodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitively inhibits thebinding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody B4) toAnnexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof bindsto the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody (such as a monoclonalantibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV ispresent on the surface of a cell (and/or in a pathological structure) orin the extracellular matrix in an individual that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) tissue injury and/oroxidative damage. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is produced by anucleated cell (such as a mammalian cell). In some embodiments, theAnnexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins; wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises: (i) heavy chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO:4; (ii) heavy chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO:5; and (iii) heavy chain variable domaincomprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In some embodiments, the targetingportion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, wherein theantibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to Annexin IV or apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,wherein the antibody or fragment there of comprises: (i) heavy chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (ii) heavy chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; and (iii) heavychain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. In someembodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitively inhibits thebinding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody B4) toAnnexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof bindsto the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody (such as a monoclonalantibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV ispresent on the surface of a cell (and/or in a pathological structure) orin the extracellular matrix in an individual that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) tissue injury and/oroxidative damage. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is produced by anucleated cell (such as a mammalian cell). In some embodiments, theAnnexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins; wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises: (i) a light chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ii) a light chain variable domain comprisinga sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; (iii) a light chain variable domaincomprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; (iv) heavy chain variable domaincomprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:4; (v) heavy chain variable domaincomprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:5; and (vi) heavy chain variabledomain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:6. In some embodiments, thetargeting portion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, whereinthe antibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to Annexin IV or apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,wherein the antibody or fragment there of comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:7; (ii) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8; (iii) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:9; (iv) heavychain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10; (v) heavychain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; and (vi)heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. Insome embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitivelyinhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonalantibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibody orfragment thereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody(such as a monoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell (and/or in apathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as a mammaliancell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises: (i) a light chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO: 1; (ii) a lightchain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:2; (iii) a light chain CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:3; (iv)heavy chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO:4; (v) heavy chain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:5;and (vi) heavy chain CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:6. In some embodiments thetargeting portion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, whereinthe antibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to Annexin IV or apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins;and (b) a complement modulator or a detectable moiety, wherein theantibody or fragment there of comprises: (i) a light chain CDR1 of SEQID NO:7; (ii) a light chain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO: 8; (iii) a light chainCDR3 of SEQ ID NO:9; (iv) heavy chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO: 10; (v) heavychain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO: 11; and (vi) heavy chain CDR3 of SEQ ID NO: 12.In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitivelyinhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonalantibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibody orfragment thereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody(such as a monoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell (and/or in apathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as a mammaliancell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 13. Insome embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 15. Insome embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 14. Insome embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentthereof comprises a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 16. Insome embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitivelyinhibits the binding of a pathogenic monoclonal antibody (such asmonoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibodyor fragment thereof competitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenicantibody (such as monoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In someembodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof binds to the same epitopeas a pathogenic antibody (such as a monoclonal antibody B4) to AnnexinIV. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on the surface of acell (and/or in a pathological structure) or in the extracellular matrixin an individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In someembodiments, the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as amammalian cell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinantprotein

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentthere of comprises: (i) a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 13;and (ii) heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 15. In someembodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or a fragmentthereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereof specifically bindsto Annexin IV or a post-translational modification found on Annexin IVand other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragment there of comprises:(i) a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 14; and (ii) heavy chainvariable domain of SEQ ID NO: 16. In some embodiments, the antibody orfragment thereof competitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenicantibody (such as monoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In someembodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof binds to the same epitopeas a pathogenic antibody (such as a monoclonal antibody B4) to AnnexinIV. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on the surface of acell (and/or in a pathological structure) or in the extracellular matrixin an individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In someembodiments, the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as amammalian cell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinantprotein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to Annexin IV or a post-translational modificationfound on Annexin IV and other proteins, wherein the antibody or fragmentis a scFv having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17. In some embodiments, thetargeting portion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, whereinthe antibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to Annexin IV or apost-translational modification found on Annexin IV and other proteins,wherein the antibody or fragment is a scFv having the sequence of SEQ IDNO: 18. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereofcompetitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such asmonoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments, the antibodyor fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody(such as a monoclonal antibody B4) to Annexin IV. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell (and/or in apathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as a mammaliancell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as phosphatidylethanolamine(PE), cardiolipin (CL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and/or phosphatidylcholine(PC)), wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:25, a sequenceof SEQ ID NO:26, or a sequence of SEQ ID NO:27; and/or (ii) heavy chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:28, a sequence of SEQID NO:29, or a sequence of SEQ ID NO:30. In some embodiments, thetargeting portion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, whereinthe antibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to a phospholipid(such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC), wherein the antibody or fragmentthereof comprises: (i) a light chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO:31, a sequence of SEQ ID NO:32, or a sequence ofSEQ ID NO:33; and/or (ii) heavy chain variable domain comprising asequence of SEQ ID NO:28, a sequence of SEQ ID NO:29, or a sequence ofSEQ ID NO:30. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereofcompetitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such asmonoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In some embodiments, theantibody or antibody fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as apathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is present on the surface of a cell,a basement membrane, or in a pathological structure in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the phospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:25; (ii) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:26; and (iii) alight chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:27. Insome embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:31; (ii) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:32; and (iii) alight chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:33. Insome embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitivelyinhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonalantibody C2) to phospholipid. In some embodiments, the antibody orantibody fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenicantibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In someembodiments, the phospholipid is present on the surface of a cell, abasement membrane, or in a pathological structure in an individual thatis in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing)tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) heavy chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:28; (ii) heavy chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:29; and (iii) heavychain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:30. In someembodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitively inhibits thebinding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) tophospholipid. In some embodiments, the antibody or antibody fragmentthereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenic antibody (such asmonoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is present on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane,or in a pathological structure in an individual that is in or adjacentto a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) tissue injuryand/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments, the phospholipid isselected from the group consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE),cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine (PC). In some embodiments, thephospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). In some embodiments, thephospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, the phospholipid ispositively charged. In some embodiments, the phospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:25; (ii) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:26; (iii) alight chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:27; (iv)heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:28; (v)heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:29; and(vi) heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:30.In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:31; (ii) a lightchain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:32; (iii) alight chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:33; (iv)heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:28; (v)heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:29; and(vi) heavy chain variable domain comprising a sequence of SEQ ID NO:30.In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof competitivelyinhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonalantibody C2) to phospholipid. In some embodiments, the antibody orantibody fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as a pathogenicantibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In someembodiments, the phospholipid is present on the surface of a cell, abasement membrane, or in a pathological structure in an individual thatis in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing)tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a light chainCDR1 of SEQ ID NO:25; (ii) a light chain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:26; (iii) alight chain CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:27; (iv) heavy chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO:28;(v) heavy chain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:29; and (vi) heavy chain CDR3 of SEQID NO:30. In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises anantibody or a fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragmentthereof specifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA,and/or PC), wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) alight chain CDR1 of SEQ ID NO:31; (ii) a light chain CDR2 of SEQ IDNO:32; (iii) a light chain CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:33; (iv) heavy chain CDR1of SEQ ID NO:28; (v) heavy chain CDR2 of SEQ ID NO:29; and (vi) heavychain CDR3 of SEQ ID NO:30. In some embodiments, the antibody orfragment thereof competitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenicantibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In someembodiments, the antibody or antibody fragment thereof binds to the sameepitope as a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) tophospholipid. In some embodiments, the phospholipid is present on thesurface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathological structurein an individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In someembodiments, the phospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises a light chainvariable domain of SEQ ID NO:34. In some embodiments, the targetingportion comprises an antibody or a fragment thereof, wherein theantibody or a fragment thereof specifically binds to a phospholipid(such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC), wherein the antibody or fragmentthereof comprises a heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:36. In someembodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or a fragmentthereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereof specifically bindsto a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC), wherein the antibodyor fragment thereof comprises a light chain variable domain of SEQ IDNO:35. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereofcompetitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody (such asmonoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In some embodiments, theantibody or antibody fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as apathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is present on the surface of a cell,a basement membrane, or in a pathological structure in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the phospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC),wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) a light chainvariable domain of SEQ ID NO:34; and (ii) heavy chain variable domain ofSEQ ID NO:36. In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises anantibody or a fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragmentthereof specifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA,and/or PC), wherein the antibody or fragment thereof comprises: (i) alight chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:35; and (ii) heavy chainvariable domain of SEQ ID NO:36. In some embodiments, the antibody orfragment thereof competitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenicantibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In someembodiments, the antibody or antibody fragment thereof binds to the sameepitope as a pathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) tophospholipid. In some embodiments, the phospholipid is present on thesurface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathological structurein an individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In someembodiments, the phospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody or afragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragment thereofspecifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC);and (b) an active moiety (e.g., a therapeutic moiety or a detectablemoiety), wherein the antibody or fragment is a scFv having the sequenceof SEQ ID NO:37. In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises anantibody or a fragment thereof, wherein the antibody or a fragmentthereof specifically binds to a phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA,and/or PC), wherein the antibody or fragment is a scFv having thesequence of SEQ ID NO:38. In some embodiments, the antibody or fragmentthereof competitively inhibits the binding of a pathogenic antibody(such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. In some embodiments,the antibody or antibody fragment thereof binds to the same epitope as apathogenic antibody (such as monoclonal antibody C2) to phospholipid. Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is present on the surface of a cell,a basement membrane, or in a pathological structure in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury and/or oxidative damage. In some embodiments,the phospholipid is selected from the group consisting ofphosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), and phosphatidylcholine(PC). In some embodiments, the phospholipid is malondialdehyde (MDA). Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion and inhibitor portion aredirectly bonded, covalently bonded, or, reversibly bonded. The targetingportion is capable of specifically binding to Annexin IV or aphospholipid. The targeting portion is responsible for targeted deliveryof the molecule to the sites of, e.g., complement activation. Theinhibitor portion is responsible for therapeutic activity, e.g.,specifically inhibiting complement activation. The targeting portion andinhibitor portion of the molecule can be linked together by any methodsknown in the art, as long as the desired functionalities of the twoportions are maintained.

The molecule described herein thus generally has the dual functions ofbinding to an epitope recognized by an antibody described herein andexerting therapeutic activity. A “epitope of monoclonal antibody B4antibody” refers to any molecule that binds to a naturally occurring B4or C2 antibody, which include, epitopes that bind to a B4 or C2 antibodywith a binding affinity that is about any of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%,60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the epitope that naturally binds a B4antibody. Binding affinity can be determined by any method known in theart, including for example, surface plasmon resonance, calorimetrytitration, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

In some embodiments, a molecule described herein is generally capable ofinhibiting complement activation (for example inhibiting activation ofthe alternative pathway and/or lectin pathway). The molecule may be amore potent complement inhibitor than the naturally occurring antibodyas described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the molecule hasa complement inhibitory activity that is about any of 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3,3.5, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, or more foldof that of a B4 or C2 antibody. In some embodiments, the molecule has anEC50 of less than about any of 100 nM, 90 nM, 80 nM, 70 nM, 60 nM, 50nM, 40 nM, 30 nM, 20 nM, or 10 nM, inclusive, including any values inbetween these numbers. In some embodiments, the molecule has an EC50 ofabout 5 to 60 nM, including for example any of 8 to 50 nM, 8 to 20 nM,10 to 40 nM, and 20 to 30 nM. In some embodiments, the molecule hascomplement inhibitory activity that is about any of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%,90%, or 100% of that of a B4 or C2 antibody.

Complement inhibition can be evaluated based on any methods known in theart, including for example, in vitro zymosan assays, assays for lysis oferythrocytes, antibody or immune complex activation assays, alternativepathway activation assays, and mannan activation assays.

In some embodiments, the molecule is a fusion protein. “Fusion protein”used herein refers to two or more peptides, polypeptides, or proteinsoperably linked to each other. In some embodiments, the targetingportion and inhibitor portion are directly fused to each other. In someembodiments, the targeting portion and inhibitor portion are linked byan amino acid linker sequence. Examples of linker sequences are known inthe art, and include, for example, (Gly4Ser), (Gly4Ser)2, (Gly4Ser)3,(Gly3Ser)4, (SerGly4), (SerGly4)2, (SerGly4)3, and (SerGly4)4. Linkingsequences can also comprise “natural” linking sequences found betweendifferent domains of complement factors. The order of targeting portionand inhibitor portion in the fusion protein can vary. For example, insome embodiments, the C-terminus of the targeting portion is fused(directly or indirectly) to the N-terminus of the inhibitor portion ofthe targeting construct. In some embodiments, the N-terminus of thetargeting portion is fused (directly or indirectly) to the C-terminus ofthe inhibitor portion of the molecule. In some embodiments, thetargeting portion is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleicacid sequence of any of 19-24, 39-43, 57 and 58. In some embodiments,the targeting portion is encoded by a polynucleotide comprising anucleic acid sequence that is at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%,91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to that of anyof SEQ ID NOs: 19-24, 39-43, 57 and 58.

In some embodiments, the molecule comprises a targeting portion and aninhibitor portion linked via a chemical cross-linker. Linking of the twoportions can occur on reactive groups located on the two moieties.Reactive groups that can be targeted using a crosslinker include primaryamines, sulfhydryls, carbonyls, carbohydrates, and carboxylic acids, oractive groups that can be added to proteins. Examples of chemicallinkers are well known in the art and include, but are not limited to,bismaleimidohexane, maleimidobenzoyl-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester,NHS-Esters-Maleimide Crosslinkers such as SPDP, carbodiimide,glutaraldehyde, MBS, Sulfo-MBS, SMPB, sulfo-SMPB, GMBS, Sulfo-GMBS,EMCS, Sulfo-EMCS, imidoester crosslinkers such as DMA, DMP, DMS, DTBP,EDC and DTME.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion and inhibitor portion arenon-covalently linked. For example, the two portions may be broughttogether by two interacting bridging proteins (such as biotin andstreptavidin), each linked to a targeting portion or an inhibitorportion

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises two or more (sameor different) targeting portions described herein. In some embodiments,the molecule comprises two or more (same or different) inhibitorportions described herein. These two or more portions may be tandemlylinked (such as fused) to each other. In some embodiments, the moleculecomprises a targeting portion and two or more (such as three, four,five, or more) inhibitor portions. In some embodiments, the moleculecomprises an inhibitor portion and two or more (such as three, four,five, or more) targeting portions. In some embodiments, the moleculecomprises two or more targeting portions and two or more inhibitorportions.

In some embodiments, there is provided isolated targeted molecules. Insome embodiments, the targeting molecules form dimers or multimers.

The active portion and the targeting portion in the targeted moleculecan be from the same species (such as human or mouse), or from differentspecies.

Annexin IV belongs to a family of proteins that are Ca2+ andphospholipid proteins. The structure of annexins consists of a conservedCa2+ and membrane binding core of four annexin repeats (eight forannexin IV) and variable N-terminal regions. Annexins are solublecytosolic proteins, but despite the lack of obvious signal sequences andthe apparent inability to enter the classical secretory pathway,annexins have been identified in extracellular fluids or associated withthe external cell surface through poorly understood binding sites.Annexin IV is predominantly produced by epithelial cells and is alsofound at high levels in lung, intestine, pancreas, liver,photoreceptors, and kidney. Rescher et al., J. Cell Sci., (2004),117:2631-2639, Kulik et al., (2009) J Immunol. 182(9):5363-73, andZernii et al., Biochemistry (Mosc)., (2003), 68(1): 129-60.

In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell(and/or in a pathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix inan individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury. In some embodiments, the Annexin IVis present on the surface of a cell of an individual that is in oradjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing)non-ischemic injury. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is present onthe surface of a cell of an individual that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) oxidative damage. Insome embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell ofan individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) ischemia-reperfusion injury. In some embodiments,the Annexin IV is produced by a nucleated cell (such as a mammaliancell). In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell,a basement membrane, or in a pathological structure in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV ispresent on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane (or in apathological structure of an individual that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) non-ischemic injury. Insome embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on the surface of a cell, abasement membrane or in a pathological structure of an individual thatis in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing)oxidative damage. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV is present on thesurface of a cell, a basement membrane (e.g., Bruch's membrane), or in apathological structure (e.g., drusen) of an individual that is in oradjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing)ischemia-reperfusion injury. In some embodiments, the Annexin IV isproduced by a nucleated cell (such as a mammalian cell). In someembodiments, the Annexin IV is recombinant protein.

In some embodiments, the epitope on Annexin IV for the antibody orfragment thereof is present on the surface of a cell (and/or in apathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury but not on the surface of a cell that is in oradjacent to a tissue not undergoing (or is not at risk of undergoing)tissue injury. In some embodiments, the epitope on Annexin IV for theantibody or fragment thereof is present on the surface of a cell (and/orin a pathological structure) or in the extracellular matrix in anindividual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at riskof undergoing) non-ischemic injury but not on the surface of a cell thatis in or adjacent to a tissue not undergoing (or is not at risk ofundergoing) non-ischemic injury. In some embodiments, the epitope onAnnexin IV for the antibody or fragment thereof is present on thesurface of a cell that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or isat risk of undergoing) oxidative damage but not on the surface of a cellthat is in or adjacent to a tissue not undergoing (or is not at risk ofundergoing) oxidative damage. In some embodiments, the epitope onAnnexin IV for the antibody or fragment thereof is present on thesurface of a cell (and/or in a pathological structure) or in theextracellular matrix in an individual that is in or adjacent to a tissueundergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) ischemia-reperfusion injury butis not present on the surface of a cell that is in or adjacent to atissue not undergoing (or is not at risk of undergoing) ischemiareperfusion injury.

In some embodiments, the epitope on Annexin IV for the antibody orfragment thereof is present on the surface of a cell, a basementmembrane, or in a pathological structure in an individual that is in oradjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) tissueinjury but not on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in apathological structure that is in or adjacent to a tissue not undergoing(or is not at risk of undergoing) tissue injury. In some embodiments,the epitope on Annexin IV for the antibody or fragment thereof ispresent on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in apathological structure in an individual that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) non-ischemic injury butnot on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathologicalstructure that is in or adjacent to a tissue not undergoing (or is notat risk of undergoing) nonischemic injury. In some embodiments, theepitope on Annexin IV for the antibody or fragment thereof is present onthe surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathologicalstructure that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at riskof undergoing) oxidative damage but not on the surface of a cell, abasement membrane, or in a pathological structure that is in or adjacentto a tissue not undergoing (or is not at risk of undergoing) oxidativedamage. In some embodiments, the epitope on Annexin IV for the antibodyor fragment thereof is present on the surface of a cell, a basementmembrane, or in a pathological structure in an individual that is in oradjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing)ischemia-reperfusion injury but is not present on the surface of a cell,a basement membrane, or in a pathological structure that is in oradjacent to a tissue not undergoing (or is not at risk of undergoing)ischemia reperfusion injury.

In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof described hereinspecifically binds to a phospholipid, which include, but is not limitedto, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), cardiolipin (CL), phosphatidylcholine(PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). PE, CL, and PC are classes ofphospholipids found in biological membranes. Phosphatidylcholine is morecommonly found in the exoplasmic or outer leaflet of a cell membrane. Itis thought to be transported between membranes within the cell byphosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PCTP). The phospholipid iscomposed of a choline head group and glycerophosphoric acid with avariety of fatty acids, one being a saturated fatty acid and one beingan unsaturated fatty acid. PE consists of a combination of glycerolesterified with two fatty acids and phosphoric acid. Whereas thephosphate group is combined with choline in phosphatidylcholine, it iscombined with the ethanolamine in PE. The two fatty acids may be thesame, or different, and are usually in the 1,2 positions (though theycan be in the 1,3 positions). Cardiolipin (IUPAC name“1,3-bis(sn-3′-phosphatidyl)-sn-glycerol”) is an important component ofthe inner mitochondrial membrane, where it constitutes about 20% of thetotal lipid composition. Cardiolipin (CL) is a kind ofdiphosphatidylglycerol lipid, in which two phosphatidylglycerols connectwith a glycerol backbone in the center to form a dimeric structure. Inmost animal tissues, cardiolipin contains 18-carbon fatty alkyl chainswith 2 unsaturated bonds on each of them. It has been proposed that the(18:2)4 acyl chain configuration is an important structural requirementfor the high affinity of CL to inner membrane proteins in mammalianmitochondria.

Malondialdehyde (MDA) is generated from reactive oxygen species (ROS),and as such is often assayed in vivo as a bio-marker of oxidativestress. Reactive oxygen species degrade polyunsaturated lipids, formingmalondialdehyde. This compound is a reactive aldehyde and is one of themany reactive electrophile species that cause toxic stress in cells andform covalent protein adducts referred to as advanced lipoxidationend-products (ALE). The production of this aldehyde is also used as abiomarker to measure the level of oxidative stress in an organism.

In some embodiments, the phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC)is present on the surface of a cell (or in a pathological structure) inan individual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury. In some embodiments, the phospholipid(such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC) is present on the surface of a cell (orin a pathological structure) of an individual that is in or adjacent toa tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) ocular disease. Insome embodiments, the phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC) ispresent on the surface of a cell (or in a pathological structure) of anindividual that is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at riskof undergoing) oxidative damage. In some embodiments, the phospholipidis neutral. In some embodiments, the phospholipid is positively charged.In some embodiments, the phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC)is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC)is present on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in apathological structure in an individual that is in or adjacent to anocular tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) tissue injury. Insome embodiments, the phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC) ispresent on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in apathological structure of an individual that is in or adjacent to anocular tissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) ocular disease.In some embodiments, the phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC)is present on the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in apathological structure of an individual that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) oxidative damage. Insome embodiments, the phospholipid is neutral. In some embodiments, thephospholipid is positively charged. In some embodiments, thephospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC) is oxidized.

In some embodiments, the epitope of phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA,and/or PC) to which the antibody or fragment thereof binds is present onthe surface of a cell or in a pathological structure in an individualthat is in or adjacent to a tissue undergoing (or is at risk ofundergoing) tissue injury but not on the surface of a cell or in apathological structure that is in or adjacent to a tissue not undergoing(or is not at risk of undergoing) tissue injury. In some embodiments,the epitope on phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC) to whichthe antibody or fragment thereof binds is present on the surface of acell or in a pathological structure that is in or adjacent to a tissueundergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) oxidative damage but not on thesurface of a cell or in a pathological structure that is in or adjacentto a tissue not undergoing (or is not at risk of undergoing) oxidativedamage.

In some embodiments, the epitope of phospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA,and/or PC) to which the antibody or fragment thereof binds is present onthe surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathologicalstructure in an individual that is in or adjacent to a ocular tissueundergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) tissue injury but not on thesurface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathological structurethat is in or adjacent to a ocular tissue not undergoing (or is not atrisk of undergoing) tissue injury. In some embodiments, the epitope onphospholipid (such as PE, CL, MDA, and/or PC) to which the antibody orfragment thereof binds is present on the surface of a cell, a basementmembrane, or in a pathological structure that is in or adjacent to atissue undergoing (or is at risk of undergoing) oxidative damage but noton the surface of a cell, a basement membrane, or in a pathologicalstructure that is in or adjacent to a tissue not undergoing (or is notat risk of undergoing) oxidative damage.

As described herein, a cell (and/or a pathological structure) that is inor adjacent to a particular tissue as described herein includes a cell(and/or a pathological structure) that is part of a tissue or organ, oradjacent to (near, directly next to, in the microenvironment of,bordering, flanking, adjoining) a tissue or organ, in which a certainevent (such as non-ischemic injury or oxidative damage) is going tooccur, is likely to occur, or is beginning to occur. As describedherein, a cell, a basement, or in a pathological structure that is in oradjacent to a particular tissue as described herein includes a cell thatis part of a tissue or organ, or adjacent to (near, directly next to, inthe microenvironment of, bordering, flanking, adjoining) a tissue ororgan, in which a certain event (such as non-ischemic injury oroxidative damage) is going to occur, is likely to occur, or is beginningto occur. In the case of an adjacent cell, the cell is sufficientlywithin the microenvironment of the specific tissue or organ such thatconditions of oxidative damage and/or inflammation affect the adjacentcell, as well as the specific tissue or organ. Such a cell may displaysigns of stress, including, but not limited to, the display of “stressproteins” (e g, heat shock proteins and other proteins associated with acellular stress response, including annexins) or other molecules on thecell surface (phospholipids, carbohydrate moieties), including thedisplay of abnormal levels of proteins, modified proteins, or othermolecules on the cell surface. Such a cell may be undergoing apoptosisor showing signs of apoptosis, such signs including morphologicalchanges in the cell, chromatin condensation, changes in cellular signaltransduction protein interactions, changes in intracellular calciumlevels, externalization of phospholipids, cell detachment, loss of cellsurface structures, etc.

As used herein, the term “selectively binds to” refers to the specificbinding of one protein to another protein, to a lipid, or to acarbohydrate moiety (e.g., the binding of an antibody, a fragmentthereof, or binding partner to an antigen), wherein the level ofbinding, as measured by any standard assay (e.g., an immunoassay), isstatistically significantly higher than the background control for theassay. For example, when performing an immunoassay, controls typicallyinclude a reaction well/tube that contain antibody or antigen bindingfragment alone (i.e., in the absence of antigen), wherein an amount ofreactivity (e.g., non-specific binding to the well) by the antibody orantigen binding fragment thereof in the absence of the antigen isconsidered to be background. Binding can be measured using a variety ofmethods standard in the art, including, but not limited to: Westernblot, immunoblot, enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA),radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunoprecipitation, surface plasmon resonance,chemiluminescence, fluorescent polarization, phosphorescence,immunohistochemical analysis, matrix-assisted laserdesorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry,microcytometry, microarray, microscopy, fluorescence activated cellsorting (FACS), and flow cytometry.

According to the present invention, an “epitope” of a given protein orpeptide or other molecule is generally defined, with regard toantibodies, as a part of or site on a larger molecule to which anantibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof will bind, and againstwhich an antibody will be produced. The term epitope can be usedinterchangeably with the term “antigenic determinant”, “antibody bindingsite”, or “conserved binding surface” of a given protein or antigen.More specifically, an epitope can be defined by both the amino acidresidues involved in antibody binding and also by their conformation inthree-dimensional space (e.g., a conformational epitope or the conservedbinding surface). An epitope can be included in peptides as small asabout 4-6 amino acid residues, or can be included in larger segments ofa protein, and need not be comprised of contiguous amino acid residueswhen referring to a three dimensional structure of an epitope,particularly with regard to an antibody-binding epitope.Antibody-binding epitopes are frequently conformational epitopes ratherthan a sequential epitope (i.e., linear epitope), or in other words, anepitope defined by amino acid residues arrayed in three dimensions onthe surface of a protein or polypeptide to which an antibody binds. Asmentioned above, the conformational epitope is not comprised of acontiguous sequence of amino acid residues, but instead, the residuesare perhaps widely separated in the primary protein sequence, and arebrought together to form a binding surface by the way the protein foldsin its native conformation in three dimensions.

Competition assays can be performed using standard techniques in the art(e.g., competitive ELISA or other binding assays). For example,competitive inhibitors can be detected and quantitated by their abilityto inhibit the binding of an antigen to a known, labeled antibody (e.g.,the rriAb B4) or to sera or another composition that is known to containantibodies against the particular antigen (e.g., sera known to containnatural antibodies against the antigen).

According to the present invention, antibodies are characterized in thatthey comprise immunoglobulin domains and as such, they are members ofthe immunoglobulin superfamily of proteins. Generally speaking, anantibody molecule comprises two types of chains. One type of chain isreferred to as the heavy or H chain and the other is referred to as thelight or L chain. The two chains are present in an equimolar ratio, witheach antibody molecule typically having two H chains and two L chains.The two H chains are linked together by disulfide bonds and each H chainis linked to an L chain by a disulfide bond. There are only two types ofL chains referred to as lambda (λ) and kappa (κ) chains. In contrast,there are five major H chain classes referred to as isotypes. The fiveclasses include immunoglobulin M (IgM or μ), immunoglobulin D (IgD orδ), immunoglobulin G (IgG or λ), immunoglobulin A (IgA or a), andimmunoglobulin E (IgE or ε). The distinctive characteristics betweensuch isotypes are defined by the constant domain of the immunoglobulinand are discussed in detail below. Human immunoglobulin moleculescomprise nine isotypes, IgM, IgD, IgE, four subclasses of IgG includingIgG1 (γï), IgG2 (γ2), IgG3 (γ3) and IgG4 (γ4), and two subclasses of IgAincluding IgA1 (1) and IgA2 (a2). In humans, IgG subclass 3 and IgM arethe most potent complement activators (classical complement system),while IgG subclass 1 and to an even lesser extent, 2, are moderate tolow activators of the classical complement system. IgG4 subclass doesnot activate the complement system (classical or alternative). The onlyhuman immunoglobulin isotype known to activate the alternativecomplement system is IgA. In mice, the IgG subclasses are IgG1, IgG2a,IgG2b and IgG3. Murine IgG1 does not activate complement, while IgG2a,IgG2b and IgG3 are complement activators.

Each H or L chain of an immunoglobulin molecule comprises two regionsreferred to as L chain variable domains (VL domains) and L chainconstant domains (CL domains), and H chain variable domains (VH domains)and H chain constant domains (CH domains). A complete CH domaincomprises three sub-domains (CHI, CH2, CH3) and a hinge region.Together, one H chain and one L chain can form an arm of animmunoglobulin molecule having an immunoglobulin variable region. Acomplete immunoglobulin molecule comprises two associated (e.g.,di-sulfide linked) arms. Thus, each arm of a whole immunoglobulincomprises a VH+L region, and a CH+L region. As used herein, the term“variable region” or “V region” refers to a VH+L region (also known asan Fv fragment), a VL region or a VH region. Also as used herein, theterm “constant region” or “C region” refers to a CH+L region, a CLregion or a CH region.

The antigen specificity of an immunoglobulin molecule is conferred bythe amino acid sequence of a variable, or V, region. As such, V regionsof different immunoglobulin molecules can vary significantly dependingupon their antigen specificity. Certain portions of a V region are moreconserved than others and are referred to as framework regions (FRregions). In contrast, certain portions of a V region are highlyvariable and are designated hypervariable regions. When the VL and VHdomains pair in an immunoglobulin molecule, the hypervariable regionsfrom each domain associate and create hypervariable loops that form theantigen binding sites (antigen combining sites). Thus, the hypervariableloops determine the specificity of an immunoglobulin and are termedcomplementarity-determining regions (CDRs) because their surfaces arecomplementary to antigens.

Both an L chain and H chain V gene segment contain three regions ofsubstantial amino acid sequence variability. Such regions are referredto as L chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, and H chain CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3,respectively. The length of an L chain CDR1 can vary substantiallybetween different VL regions. For example, the length of CDR1 can varyfrom about 7 amino acids to about 17 amino acids. In contrast, thelengths of L chain CDR2 and CDR3 typically do not vary between differentVL regions. The length of an H chain CDR3 can vary substantially betweendifferent VH regions. For example, the length of CDR3 can vary fromabout 1 amino acid to about 20 amino acids. Each H and L chain CDRregion is flanked by FR regions.

Limited digestion of an immunoglobulin with a protease may produce twofragments. An antigen binding fragment is referred to as an Fab, anFab′, or an F(ab′)2 fragment. A fragment lacking the ability to bind toantigen is referred to as an Fc fragment. A Fab fragment comprises onearm of an immunoglobulin molecule containing a L chain (VL+CL domains)paired with the VH region and a portion of the CH region (CHI domain).An Fab′ fragment corresponds to an Fab fragment with part of the hingeregion attached to the CHI domain. An F(ab′)2 fragment corresponds totwo Fab′ fragments that are normally covalently linked to each otherthrough a disulfide bond, typically in the hinge regions.

Isolated antibodies of the present invention can include serumcontaining such antibodies, or antibodies that have been purified tovarying degrees. Whole antibodies of the present invention can bepolyclonal or monoclonal. Alternatively, functional equivalents of wholeantibodies, such as antigen binding fragments in which one or moreantibody domains are truncated or absent (e.g., Fv, Fab, Fab′, orF(ab′)2 fragments), as well as genetically-engineered antibodies orantigen binding fragments thereof, including single chain antibodies(e.g., scFv), humanized antibodies, antibodies that can bind to morethan one epitope (e.g., bi-specific antibodies), or antibodies that canbind to one or more different antigens (e.g., bi- or multi-specificantibodies), may also be employed in the invention.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion comprises an antibody. Insome embodiments, the targeting moiety is a scFv. In some embodiments,the targeting portion is a scFv comprising a (i) a light chain variabledomain of SEQ ID NO: 13; and/or (ii) heavy chain variable domain of SEQID NO: 15. In some embodiments, the targeting portion is a scFvcomprising (i) a light chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 14; and/or(ii) heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO: 16. In some embodiments,the targeting portion is a scFv having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17. Insome embodiments, the targeting portion is a scFv having the sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 18.

In some embodiments, the targeting portion is a scFv comprising a (i) alight chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:34; and/or (ii) heavy chainvariable domain of SEQ ID NO:36. In some embodiments, the targetingportion is a scFv comprising (i) a light chain variable domain of SEQ IDNO:35; and/or (ii) heavy chain variable domain of SEQ ID NO:36. In someembodiments, the targeting portion is a scFv having the sequence of SEQID NO:37. In some embodiments, the targeting portion is a scFv havingthe sequence of SEQ ID NO:38.

In one embodiment, targeted molecules of the present invention includehumanized antibodies or a fragment thereof (such as a humanized scFv). Ahumanized antibody or fragment thereof are molecules having an antigenbinding site derived from an immunoglobulin from a non-human species,the remaining immunoglobulin-derived parts of the molecule being derivedfrom a human immunoglobulin. The antigen binding site may compriseeither complete variable regions fused onto human constant domains oronly the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) grafted ontoappropriate human framework regions in the variable domains. A humanizedantibody or fragment thereof can be produced, for example, by modelingthe antibody variable domains, and producing the antibodies usinggenetic engineering techniques, such as CDR grafting. A descriptionvarious techniques for the production of humanized antibodies is found,for example, in Morrison et al. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA81:6851-55; Whittle et al. (1987) Prot. Eng. 1:499-505; Co et al. (1990)J. Immunol. 148: 1149-1154; Co et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA88:2869-2873; Carter et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 89:4285-4289;Routledge et al. (1991) Eur. J. Immunol. 21:2717-2725 and PCT PatentPublication Nos. WO 91/09967; WO 91/09968 and WO 92/113831.

In some embodiments, the antibody or fragment thereof does not activatecomplement activation. Methods of modifying antibodies or fragmentsthereof by reducing or eliminating their complement activationactivities are known in the art (Tan et al. (1990) Proc Natl Acad SciUSA 87, 162-166).

In some embodiments, the targeting portion of the targeted molecules isa homolog of any of the targeting portion amino acid sequences describedherein or a biologically active fragment thereof. Homologs of thetargeting portion (or biologically active fragments thereof) includeproteins which differ from a targeting portion described herein (orbiologically-active fragment thereof) in that at least one or a few, butnot limited to one or a few, amino acids have been deleted (e.g., atruncated version of the protein, such as a peptide or fragment),inserted, inverted, substituted and/or derivatized (e.g., byglycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, myristoylation,prenylation, palmitation, amidation and/or addition glycosylphosphatidylinositol). For example, homologue of a targeting portion may have anamino acid sequence that is at least about 70% identical to the aminoacid sequence of a targeting portion described herein, for example atleast about any of 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%,85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or99% identical to the amino acid sequence of a targeting portiondescribed herein. Amino acid sequence identity can be determined invarious ways, for example, using publicly available computer softwaresuch as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or MEGALIGN™ (DNAST AR) software. Oneskilled in the art can determine appropriate parameters for measuringalignment, including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignmentover the full length of the sequences being compared.

The molecules described herein in some embodiments comprise an inhibitorportion comprising a complement modulator, such as a complementinhibitor.

As used herein, the term “complement inhibitor” refers to any compound,composition, or protein that reduces or eliminates complement activity.The reduction in complement activity may be incremental (e.g., a 10%,20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% reduction in activity) orcomplete. For example, in some embodiments, a complement inhibitor caninhibit complement activity by at least 10 (e.g., at least 15, 20, 25,30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95 or greater) %in a standard in vitro red blood cell hemolysis assay or an in vitroCH50eq assay. See, e.g., Kabat and Mayer (eds), “ExperimentalImmunochemistry, 2nd Edition,” 135-240, Springfield, Ill., CC Thomas(1961), pages 135-139, or a conventional variation of that assay such asthe chicken erythrocyte hemolysis method as described in, e.g., Hillmenet al. (2004) N Engl J Med 350(6):552.

The CH50eq assay is a method for measuring the total classicalcomplement activity in serum. This test is a lytic assay, which usesantibody-sensitized erythrocytes as the activator of the classicalcomplement pathway and various dilutions of the test serum to determinethe amount required to give 50% lysis (CH50). The percent hemolysis canbe determined, for example, using a spectrophotometer. The CH50eq assayprovides an indirect measure of terminal complement complex (TCC)formation, since the TCC themselves are directly responsible for thehemolysis that is measured.

The assay is well known and commonly practiced by those of skill in theart. Briefly, to activate the classical complement pathway, undilutedserum samples (e.g., human serum samples) are added to microassay wellscontaining the antibody-sensitized erythrocytes to thereby generate TCC.Next, the activated sera are diluted in microassay wells, which arecoated with a capture reagent (e.g., an antibody that binds to one ormore components of the TCC). The TCC present in the activated samplesbind to the monoclonal antibodies coating the surface of the microassaywells. The wells are washed and, to each well, is added a detectionreagent that is detectably labeled and recognizes the bound TCC. Thedetectable label can be, e.g., a fluorescent label or an enzymaticlabel. The assay results are expressed in CH50 unit equivalents permilliliter (CH50 U Eq/mL).

Additional methods for detecting and/or measuring complement activity invitro are set forth and exemplified in the working examples.

The complement inhibitor described herein in some embodiments is aspecific inhibitor of the lectin pathway. In some embodiments, thecomplement inhibitor is a specific inhibitor of the alternative pathway.In some embodiments, the complement inhibitor is a specific inhibitor ofthe classical pathway.

In some embodiments, the complement inhibitor is a soluble ormembrane-bound protein such as, for example, membrane cofactor protein(MCP), decay accelerating factor (DAF/CD55), CD59, mouse complementreceptor 1-related gene/protein y (Crry), human complement receptor 1(CR1) or factor H, or Factor I, or an antibody specific for a componentof a complement pathway such as, for example, eculizumab (an anti-CSantibody marketed under the trade name Soliris®), pexelizumab (theantigen-binding fragment of eculizumab), an anti-factor B antibody (suchas the monoclonal antibody 1379 produced by ATCC Deposit No. PTA-6230),an anti-properdin antibody, an anti-factor D antibody, an anti-MASPantibody, an anti MB L-antibody, and the like (see below).Alternatively, a complement inhibitor may be a small molecule or alinear or cyclic peptide such as, for example, compstatin,N-acetylaspartylglutamic acid (NAAGA), and the like. In someembodiments, the complement inhibitor is selected from the groupconsisting of: an anti-CS antibody, an Eculizumab, an pexelizumab, ananti-C3b antibody, an anti-C6 antibody, an anti-C7 antibody, ananti-factor B antibody, an anti-factor D antibody, and an anti-properdinantibody, a human membrane co factor protein (MCP), a human decayaccelerating factor (DAF), a mouse decay accelerating factor (DAF), ahuman CD59, a mouse CD59, a mouse CD59 isoform B, a mouse Crry, a humanCR1, a Factor I, a human factor H, a mouse factor H, and a biologicallyactive fragment of any the preceding.

As used herein, the term “membrane cofactor protein,” “MCP,” or “CD46”refers to a widely distributed C3b/C4b-binding cell surface glycoproteinwhich inhibits complement activation on host cells and serves as acofactor for the factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b and C4b, includinghomologs thereof. T. J. Oglesby et al., J. Exp. Med. (1992) 175:1547-1551. MCP belongs to a family known as the regulators of complementactivation (“RCA”). Family members share certain structural features,comprising varying numbers of short consensus repeat (SCR) domains,which are typically between 60 and 70 amino acids in length. Beginningat its amino-terminus, MCP comprises four SCRs, aserine/threonine/proline-enriched region, an area of undefined function,a transmembrane hydrophobic domain, a cytoplasmic anchor and acytoplasmic tail. It is understood that species and strain variationsexist for the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, and thathuman MCP or biologically active fragments thereof encompass all speciesand strain variations.

SEQ ID NO:44 represents the full-length human MCP amino acid sequence(see, e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. P15529). Amino acids1-34 correspond to the signal peptide, amino acids 35-343 correspond tothe extracellular domain, amino acids 344-366 correspond to thetransmembrane domain, and amino acids 367-392 correspond to thecytoplasmic domain. In the extracellular domain, amino acids 35-96correspond to SCR 1, amino acids 97-159 correspond to SCR 2, amino acids160-225 correspond to SCR 3, amino acids 226-285 correspond to SCR 4,and amino acids 302-326 correspond to the serine/threonine-rich domain.It is understood that species and strain variations exist for thedisclosed peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, and that MCP orbiologically active fragments thereof encompass all species and strainvariations. As used herein, the term “biologically active” fragment ofMCP refers to any soluble fragment lacking both the cytoplasmic domainand the transmembrane domain, including fragments comprising, consistingessentially of or consisting of 1, 2, 3, or 4 SCR domains, with orwithout the serine/threonine-rich domain, having some or all of thecomplement inhibitory activity of the full-length human MCP protein. Insome embodiments, the complement inhibitor portion comprises full-lengthhuman MCP (amino acids 35-392 of SEQ ID NO:44), the extracellular domainof human MCP (amino acids 35-343 of SEQ ID NO:44), or SCRs 1-4 of humanMCP (amino acids 35-285 of SEQ ID NO:44).

Decay accelerating factor, also referred to as CD55 (DAF/CD55) (SEQ IDNO:45 and SEQ ID NO:46), is an −70 kiloDalton (kDa) membrane-boundglycoprotein which inhibits complement activation on host cells. Likeseveral other complement regulatory proteins, DAF comprises severalapproximately 60 amino acid repeating motifs termed short consensusrepeats (SCR).

As used herein, the term “decay accelerating factor,” “DAF,” or “CD55”refers to a seventy kilodalton (“kDa”) membrane glycoprotein comprisingfour short consensus repeat (SCR) domains followed by a heavily0-glycosylated serine/threonine-rich domain at the C-terminus thatelevates the molecule from the membrane surface, followed by aglycosylphosphatidylinositol (“GPI”) anchor. DAF protects the cellsurface from complement activation by dissociating membrane-bound C3convertases that are required to cleave complement protein C3 and toamplify the complement cascade. DAF prevents assembly or acceleratesdecay of both the C3- and C5-convertases of the alternative andclassical complement pathways.

SEQ ID NO:45 represents the full-length human DAF amino acid sequence(see, e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. P08173); SEQ ID NO:46represents the full-length mouse DAF amino acid sequence (see, e.g.,UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. Q61475). In the human DAF sequence,amino acids 1-34 correspond to the signal peptide, amino acids 35-353appear in the mature protein, and amino acids 354-381 are removed fromthe polypeptide after translation. Within the mature protein, aminoacids 35-96 correspond to SCR 1, amino acids 96-160 correspond to SCR 2,amino acids 161-222 correspond to SCR 3, amino acids 223-285 correspondto SCR 4, and amino acids 287-353 correspond to the 0-glycosylatedserine/threonine-rich domain. The GPI anchor is attached to human DAF ata serine at position 353. In the mouse DAF sequence, amino acids 1-34correspond to the signal peptide, amino acids 35-362 appear in themature protein, and amino acids 363-390 are removed from the polypeptideafter translation. Within the mature protein, amino acids 35-96correspond to SCR 1, amino acids 97-160 correspond to SCR 2, amino acids161-222 correspond to SCR 3, amino acids 223-286 correspond to SCR 4,and amino acids 288-362 correspond to the 0-glycosylatedserine/threonine-rich domain. The GPI anchor is attached to mouse DAF ata serine at position 362. It is understood that species and strainvariations exist for the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, and proteins,and that DAF or biologically active fragments thereof encompass allspecies and strain variations. As used herein, the term “biologicallyactive” fragment of DAF refers to any fragment of DAF lacking a GPIanchor and/or the amino acid to which it is attached (i.e., Ser-353),including any fragments of the full-length DAF protein comprising,consisting essentially of or consisting of 1, 2, 3, or 4 SCR domains,with or without the 0-glycosylated serine/threonine-rich domain, havingsome or all the complement inhibitory activity of the full-length DAFprotein.

As used herein, the term “CD59” refers to a membrane-bound 128 aminoacid glycoprotein that potently inhibits the membrane attack complex(MAC) of complement. CD59 acts by binding to the C8 and/or C9 componentsof the MAC during assembly, ultimately preventing incorporation of themultiple copies of C9 required for complete formation of the osmolyticpore at the heart of the MAC. CD59 is both N- and O-glycosylated. TheN-glycosylation comprises primarily bi- or tri-antennary structures withand without lactosamine and outer arm fucose residues, with variablesialylation present at some sites. Like DAF, CD59 is anchored in thecell membrane by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (“GPI”) anchor, which isattached to an asparagine at amino acid 102. Soluble forms of CD59(sCD59) have been produced, but they generally have low functionalactivity in vitro, particularly in the presence of serum, suggestingthat unmodified sCD59 has little or no therapeutic efficacy. See, e.g.,S. Meri et al., “Structural composition and functional characterizationof soluble CD59: heterogeneity of the oligosaccharide andglycophosphoinositol (GPI) anchor revealed by laser-desorption massspectrometric analysis,” Biochem. J. 316:923-935 (1996).

SEQ ID NO:47 represents the full-length human CD59 amino acid sequence(see, e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. P13987); SEQ ID NO:48represents the full-length mouse CD59 sequence, isoform A (see, e.g.,UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. 055186); SEQ ID NO:49 represents thefull-length mouse CD59 sequence, isoform B (see, e.g.,UniProtKB/SwissProt. Accession No. P58019). In the human CD59 sequence,amino acids 1-25 of SEQ ID NO:47 correspond to the leader peptide, aminoacids 26-102 of SEQ ID NO:47 correspond to the mature protein, and aminoacids 103-128 of SEQ ID NO:47 are removed after translation. The GPIanchor is attached to CD59 at an asparagine at position 102 of SEQ IDNO:47. In isoform A of the mouse CD59 sequence, amino acids 1-23 of SEQID NO:48 correspond to the leader peptide, amino acids 24-96 of SEQ IDNO: 48 correspond to the mature protein, and amino acids 97-123 of SEQID NO:48 are removed after translation. The GPI anchor is attached toCD59 at a serine at position 96 of SEQ ID NO: 48. In isoform B of themouse CD59 sequence, amino acids 1-23 of SEQ ID NO: 49 correspond to theleader peptide, amino acids 24-104 of SEQ ID NO: 49 correspond to themature protein, and amino acids 105-129 of SEQ ID NO:49 are removedafter translation. The GPI anchor is attached to CD59 at an asparagineat position 104 of SEQ ID NO:49. It is understood that species andstrain variations exist for the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, andproteins, and that CD59 or biologically active fragments thereofencompass all species and strain variations.

As used herein, the term “biologically active” fragment of human CD59refers to any fragment of human CD59 lacking a GPI anchor and/or theamino acid to which it is attached (i.e., Asn-102), including anyfragments of the full-length human CD59 protein having some or all thecomplement inhibitory activity of the full-length CD59 protein; and theterm “biologically active” fragment of mouse CD59 refers to any fragmentof mouse CD59 isoform A or isoform B lacking a GPI anchor and/or theamino acid to which it is attached (i.e., Ser-96 of isoform A, orAsp-104 of isoform B), including any fragments of either full-lengthmouse CD59 protein isoform having some or all the complement inhibitoryactivity of the full-length CD59 protein.

As used herein, the term “mouse complement receptor 1-relatedgene/protein y” or “Crry” refers to a membrane-bound mouse glycoproteinthat regulates complement activation, including homologs thereof. Crryregulates complement activation by serving as a cofactor for complementfactor I, a serine protease which cleaves C3b and C4b deposited on hosttissue. Crry also acts as a decay-accelerating factor, preventing theformation of C4b2a and C3bBb, the amplification convertases of thecomplement cascade.

SEQ ID NO:50 represents the full-length mouse Crry protein amino acidsequence. Amino acids 1-40 correspond to the leader peptide, amino acids41-483 of SEQ ID NO:50 correspond to the mature protein, comprisingamino acids 41-405 of SEQ ID NO:50, corresponding to the extracellulardomain, amino acids 406-426 of SEQ ID NO:50, corresponding to thetransmembrane domain, and amino acids 427-483 of SEQ ID NO:50,corresponding to the cytoplasmic domain. In the extracellular domain,amino acids 83-143 of SEQ ID NO:50 correspond to SCR 1, amino acids144-205 of SEQ ID NO:50 correspond to SCR 2, amino acids 206-276 of SEQID NO:50 correspond to SCR 3, amino acids 277-338 of SEQ ID NO:50correspond to SCR 4, and amino acids 339-400 of SEQ ID NO:50 correspondto SCR 5. It is understood that species and strain variations exist forthe disclosed peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, and that mouse Crryprotein or biologically active fragments thereof encompasses all speciesand strain variations. As used herein, the term “biologically active”fragment of mouse Crry protein refers to any soluble fragment of mouseCrry lacking the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmic domain,including fragments comprising, consisting essentially of or consistingof 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 SCR domains, including any fragments of thefull-length mouse Crry protein having some or all the complementinhibitory activity of the full-length Crry protein. In one embodiment,the biologically active fragment of mouse Crry comprises amino acids85-403 of SEQ ID NO: 50.

As used herein, the term “complement receptor 1,” “CR1,” or “CD35”refers to a human gene encoding a protein of 2039 amino acids, with apredicted molecular weight of 220 kiloDaltons (“kDa”), includinghomologs thereof. The gene is expressed principally on erythrocytes,monocytes, neutrophils, and B cells, but is also present on some Tlymphocytes, mast cells, and glomerular podocytes. CR1 protein istypically expressed at between 100 and 1000 copies per cell. CR1 is themain system for processing and clearance of complement-opsonized immunecomplexes. CR1 negatively regulates the complement cascade, mediatesimmune adherence and phagocytosis, and inhibits both the classic andalternative complement pathways. The full-length CR1 protein comprises a42 amino acid signal peptide, an extracellular domain of 1930 aminoacids, a 25 amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 43 amino acidC-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain of CR1 has 25potential N-glycosylation signal sequences, and comprises 30 shortconsensus (“SCR”) domains, also known as complement control protein(CCP) repeats, or sushi domains, each 60 to 70 amino acids long. Thesequence homology between SCRs ranges between 60-99 percent. The 30 SCRdomains are further grouped into four longer regions termed longhomologous repeats (“LHRs”), each encoding approximately 45 kDa segmentsof the CR1 protein, designated LHR-A, -B, -C, and -D. The first threecomprise seven SCR domains each, while LHR-D comprises 9 SCR domains.The active sites on the extracellular domain of CR1 protein include aC4b-binding site with lower affinity for C3b in SCRs 1-4 comprisingamino acids 42-295, a C3b-binding site with lower affinity for C4b inSCRs 8-11 comprising amino acids 490-745, a C3b-binding site with loweraffinity for C4b in SCRs 15-18 comprising amino acids 940-1196, and aClq-binding site in SCRs 22-28 comprising amino acids 1394-1842.

SEQ ID NO:51 represents the full-length human CR1 amino acid sequence(see, e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. P17927). Amino acids1-41 correspond to the signal peptide, amino acids 42-2039 correspond tothe mature protein, comprising amino acids 42-1971, corresponding to theextracellular domain, amino acids 1972-1996, corresponding to thetransmembrane domain, and amino acids 1997-2039, corresponding to thecytoplasmic domain. In the extracellular domain, amino acids 42-101correspond to SCR 1, 102-163 correspond to SCR2, amino acids 164-234correspond to SCR3, amino acids 236-295 correspond to SCR4, amino acids295-355 correspond to SCRS, amino acids 356-418 correspond to SCR6,amino acids 419-489 correspond to SCR7, amino acids 491-551 correspondto SCR8, amino acids 552-613 correspond to SCR9, amino acids 614-684correspond to SCRIO, amino acids 686-745 correspond to SCR11, aminoacids 745-805 correspond to SCR12, amino acids 806-868 correspond toSCR13, amino acids 869-939 correspond to SCR 14, amino acids 941-1001correspond to SCR15, amino acids 1002-1063 correspond to SCR16, aminoacids 1064-1134 correspond to SCR17, amino acids 1136-1195 correspond toSCR18, amino acids 1195-1255 correspond to SCR 19, amino acids 1256-1318correspond to SCR 20, amino acids 1319-1389 correspond to SCR 21, aminoacids 1394-1454 correspond to SCR 22, amino acids 1455-1516 correspondto SCR 23, amino acids 1517-1587 correspond to SCR 24, amino acids1589-1648 correspond to SCR 25, amino acids 1648-1708 correspond to SCR26, amino acids 1709-1771 correspond to SCR 27, amino acids 1772-1842correspond to SCR 28, amino acids 1846-1906 correspond to SCR 29, aminoacids 1907-1967 correspond to SCR 30. It is understood that species andstrain variations exist for the disclosed peptides, polypeptides, andproteins, and that CR1 protein or biologically active fragments thereofencompass all species and strain variations. As used herein, the term“biologically active” fragment of CR1 protein refers to any solublefragment of CR1 lacking the transmembrane domain and the cytoplasmicdomain, including fragments comprising, consisting essentially of orconsisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 SCR domains,including any fragments of the full-length CR1 protein having some orall the complement inhibitory activity of the full-length CR1 protein.

As used herein, the term “complement factor H,” “factor H,” or “FH”refers to complement factor H, a single polypeptide chain plasmaglycoprotein, including homologs thereof. The protein is composed of 20conserved short consensus repeat (SCR) domains of approximately 60 aminoacids, arranged in a continuous fashion like a string of beads,separated by short linker sequences of 2-6 amino acids each. Factor Hbinds to C3b, accelerates the decay of the alternative pathwayC3-convertase (C3bBb), and acts as a cofactor for the proteolyticinactivation of C3b. In the presence of factor H, proteolysis by factorI results in the cleavage and inactivation of C3b. Factor H has at leastthree distinct binding domains for C3b, which are located within SCRs1-4, SCRs 5-8, and SCRs 19-20. Each domain binds to a distinct regionwithin the C3b protein: the N-terminal sites bind to native C3b; thesecond site, located in the middle region of factor H, binds to the C3cfragment and the site located within SCR19 and 20 binds to the C3dregion. In addition, factor H also contains binding sites for heparin,which are located within SCR 7, SCRs 5-12, and SCR 20 of factor Handoverlap with those of the C3b binding sites. Structural and functionalanalyses have shown that the domains for the complement inhibitoryactivity of factor H are located within the first four N-terminal SCRdomains.

SEQ ID NO:52 represents the full-length human factor H amino acidsequence (see, e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. P08603); SEQ IDNO:53 represents the full-length mouse factor H amino acid sequence(see, e.g., UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot. Accession No. P06909). In the humanfactor H sequence, amino acids 1-18 of SEQ ID NO:52 correspond to thesignal peptide, and amino acids 19-1231 of SEQ ID NO:52 correspond tothe mature protein. Within that protein, amino acids 21-80 of SEQ IDNO:52 correspond to SCR 1, amino acids 85-141 of SEQ ID NO:52 correspondto SCR 2, amino acids 146-205 of SEQ ID NO:52 correspond to SCR 3, aminoacids 210-262 of SEQ ID NO:52 correspond to SCR 4, and amino acids267-320 of SEQ ID NO:52 correspond to SCR 5. In the mouse factor Hsequence, amino acids 1-18 of SEQ ID NO:53 correspond to the signalpeptide, and amino acids 19-1234 of SEQ ID NO:53 correspond to themature protein. Within that protein, amino acids 19-82 of SEQ ID NO:53correspond to SCR 1, amino acids 83-143 of SEQ ID NO:53 correspond toSCR 2, amino acids 144-207 of SEQ ID NO:53 correspond to SCR 3, aminoacids 208-264 of SEQ ID NO:53 correspond to SCR 4, and amino acids265-322 of SEQ ID NO:53 correspond to SCR 5. It is understood thatspecies and strain variations exist for the disclosed peptides,polypeptides, and proteins, and that factor H or biologically activefragments thereof encompass all species and strain variations.

As used herein, the term “biologically active” fragment of factor Hrefers to any portion of a factor H protein having some or all thecomplement inhibitory activity of the full-length factor H protein, andincludes, but is not limited to, factor H fragments comprising SCRs 1-4,SCRs 1-5, SCRs 1-8, SCRs 1-18, SCRs 19-20, or any homolog of anaturally-occurring factor H or fragment thereof, as described in detailbelow. In some embodiments, the biologically active fragment of factor Hhas one or more of the following properties: (1) binding to C-reactiveprotein (CRP), (2) binding to C3b, (3) binding to heparin, (4) bindingto sialic acid, (5) binding to endothelial cell surfaces, (6) binding tocellular integrin receptor, (7) binding to pathogens, (8) C3b co-factoractivity, (9) C3b decay-acceleration activity, and (10) inhibiting thealternative complement pathway.

SEQ ID NO: 59 represents the amino acid sequence for mannose-bindinglectin-associated protein of 44 kDa (MAp44). MAp44 is an alternativelyspliced product encoded by the MASP1 gene. In certain aspects, MAp44 isan inhibitor of lectin pathway activation.

Thus, in some embodiments, the inhibitor portion of the targetedmolecule described herein comprises a complement inhibitor orbiologically active fragment thereof. In some embodiments, thecomplement inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of human MCP,human DAF, mouse DAF, human CD59, mouse CD59 isoform A, mouse CD59isoform B, mouse Crry protein, human CR1, human factor H, or mousefactor H, a Factor I, or a biologically active fragment thereof.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises full-length humanMCP (SEQ ID NO:44). In some embodiments, the complement inhibitorportion of the targeting construct comprises a biologically activefragment of human MCP (SEQ ID NO:44). In some embodiments, thebiologically active fragment of human MCP is selected from the groupconsisting of SCRs 1-4 (amino acids 35-285 of SEQ ID NO:44), SCRs 1-4plus the serine/threonine-rich domain (amino acids 35-326 of SEQ IDNO:44), and the extracellular domain of MCP (amino acids 35-343 of SEQID NO:44).′

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises full-length humanDAF. In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises a biologicallyactive fragment of human DAF (SEQ ID NO:45). In some embodiments, thebiologically active fragment of human DAF is selected from the groupconsisting of SCRs 1-4 (amino acids 25-285 of SEQ ID NO:45) and SCRs 1-4plus the O-glycosylated serine/threonine-rich domain (amino acids 25-353of SEQ ID NO:45). In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprisesfull-length mouse DAF (SEQ ID NO:46). In some embodiments, the inhibitorportion comprises a biologically active fragment of mouse DAF. In someembodiments, the biologically active fragment of mouse DAF is selectedfrom the group consisting of SCRs 1-4 (amino acids 35-286 of SEQ IDNO:46) and SCRs 1-4 plus the O-glycosylated serine/threonine-rich domain(amino acids 35-362 of SEQ ID NO:46).

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises full-length humanCD59 (SEQ ID NO:47). In some embodiments, the inhibitor portioncomprises a biologically active fragment of human CD59 (SEQ ID NO:47).In some embodiments, the biologically active fragment of human CD59comprises the extracellular domain of human CD59 lacking its GPI anchor(amino acids 26-101 of SEQ ID NO:47). In some embodiments, the inhibitorportion comprises full-length mouse CD59, isoform A (SEQ ID NO:48). Insome embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises a biologically activefragment of mouse CD59, isoform A (SEQ ID NO:48). In some embodiments,the biologically active fragment of mouse CD59, isoform A comprises theextracellular domain of mouse CD59, isoform A lacking its GPI anchor(amino acids 24-95 of SEQ ID NO:48). In some embodiments, the inhibitorportion comprises full-length mouse CD59, isoform B (SEQ ID NO:49). Insome embodiments, the c inhibitor portion comprises a biologicallyactive fragment of mouse CD59, isoform B (SEQ ID NO:49). In someembodiments, the biologically active fragment of mouse CD59, isoform Bcomprises the extracellular domain of mouse CD59, isoform lacking itsGPI anchor (amino acids 24-103 of SEQ ID NO:49).

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises full-length mouseCrry protein (SEQ ID NO:50). In some embodiments, the inhibitor portioncomprises a biologically active fragment of mouse Crry protein (SEQ IDNO:50). In some embodiments, the biologically active fragment of mouseCrry protein is selected from the group consisting of SCRs 1-5 (aminoacids 41-400 of SEQ ID NO:50) and the extracellular domain of mouse Crryprotein (amino acids 41-405 of SEQ ID NO:50). In one embodiment, theinhibitor portion comprises the biologically active fragment of mouseCrry comprising amino acids 85-403 of SEQ ID NO: 50.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises full-length humanCR1 protein (SEQ ID NO:51). In some embodiments, the t inhibitor portioncomprises a biologically active fragment of human CR1 protein (SEQ IDNO:51). In some embodiments, the biologically active fragment of humanCR1 protein is selected from the group consisting of SCRs 1-4 (aminoacids 42-295 of SEQ ID NO:51), SCRs 1-10 (amino acids 42-684 of SEQ IDNO:51), SCRs 8-11 (amino acids 490-745 of SEQ ID NO:51), SCRs 15-18(amino acids 940-1196 of SEQ ID NO:51), and SCRs 22-28 (amino acids1394-1842 of SEQ ID NO:51).

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises full-length human(SEQ ID NO:52) or mouse (SEQ ID NO:53) factor H. In some embodiments,the inhibitor portion comprises a biologically active fragment of human(SEQ ID NO:52) or mouse (SEQ ID NO:53) factor H. In some embodiments,the biologically active fragment of human factor H (SEQ ID NO:52) isselected from the group consisting of SCRs 1-4 (amino acids 21-262 ofSEQ ID NO:52), SCRs 1-5 of factor H (amino acids 21-320 of SEQ IDNO:52), SCRs 1-8 of factor H (amino acids 21-507 of SEQ ID NO:52), andSCRs 1-18 of factor H (amino acids 21-1104 of SEQ ID NO:52). In someembodiments, the biologically active fragment of mouse factor H (SEQ IDNO:53) is selected from the group consisting of SCRs 1-4 (amino acids19-264 of SEQ ID NO:53), SCRs 1-5 of factor H (amino acids 19-322 of SEQID NO:53), SCRs 1-8 of factor H (amino acids 19-507 of SEQ ID NO:53),and SCRs 1-18 of factor H (amino acids 19-1109 of SEQ ID NO:53). In someembodiments, the biologically active fragment of human (SEQ ID NO:52) ormouse (SEQ ID NO:53) factor H comprises (and in some embodimentsconsists of or consists essentially of) at least the first fourN-terminal SCR domains of factor H, including for example, at least anyof the first 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or moreN-terminal SCR domains of factor H.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises MAp44 (SEQ IDNO:59). In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises abiologically active fragment of MAp44 (SEQ ID NO: 59).

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion of the targeted molecules isa homolog of any of the complement inhibitors described herein or abiologically active fragment thereof. Homologs of the complementinhibitors (or biologically active fragments thereof) include proteinswhich differ from a naturally occurring complement inhibitor (orbiologically-active fragment thereof) in that at least one or a few, butnot limited to one or a few, amino acids have been deleted (e.g., atruncated version of the protein, such as a peptide or fragment),inserted, inverted, substituted and/or derivatized (e.g., byglycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, myristoylation,prenylation, palmitation, amidation and/or addition glycosylphosphatidylinositol). For example, homologue of a complement inhibitor may have anamino acid sequence that is at least about 70% identical to the aminoacid sequence of a naturally complement inhibitor (e.g., SEQ IDNOs:44-53, 59), for example at least about any of 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%,79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%,93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the amino acidsequence of a naturally occurring complement inhibitor (e.g., SEQ IDNOs:44-53). Amino acid sequence identity can be determined in variousways, for example, using publicly available computer software such asBLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or MEGALIGN™ (DNAST AR) software. One skilled inthe art can determine appropriate parameters for measuring alignment,including any algorithms needed to achieve maximal alignment over thefull length of the sequences being compared.

In certain embodiments, a homolog of complement inhibitor (or abiologically active fragment thereof) retains all the complement pathwayinhibitory activity of the complement inhibitor (or a biologicallyactive fragment thereof) from which it is derived. In certainembodiments, the homolog of a complement inhibitor (or abiologically-active fragment thereof) retains at least about 50%, forexample, at least about any of 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% of thecomplement inhibition activity the complement inhibitor (or abiologically-active fragment thereof) from which is derived.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an antibody (or anantigen binding fragment thereof) that binds to a complement component,e.g., a complement component selected from the group consisting of CI,Clq, Cis, C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4, C4b, C5, C5a, C5b, C6, C7, C8, andC9. The complement polypeptides to which the antibodies or antigenbinding fragments thereof bind can be, in some embodiments, humanpolypeptides, e.g., human CI, Clq, Cls, C2, C2a, C3, C3a, C3b, C4, C4b,C5, C5a, C5b, C6, C7, C8, C9, factor B, factor D, or properdinpolypeptides. The amino acid sequences for the foregoing complementproteins are well-known in the art as are methods for preparing theproteins or fragments thereof for use in preparing an antibody (orantigen-binding fragment thereof) specific for one or more of thecomplement proteins. Suitable methods are also described and exemplifiedherein.

Exemplary anti-complement protein antibodies, which are suitable forincorporation into the targeted molecules described herein and forsubsequent use in any of the methods described herein, are also wellknown in the art. For example, antibodies that bind to complementcomponent C5 and inhibit the cleavage of C5 into fragments C5a and C5binclude, e.g., eculizumab (Soliris®; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,Cheshire, Conn.) and pexelizumab (Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,Cheshire, Conn.). See, e.g., Kaplan (2002) Curr Opin Investig Drugs3(7): 1017-23; Hill (2005) Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 3(11):849-50; Rotheret al. (2007) Nature Biotechnol 25(11): 1256-1488; Whiss (2002) CurrOpin Investig Drugs 3(6):870-7; Patel et al. (2005) Drugs Today (Bare)41(3): 165-70; and Thomas et al. (1996) Mol Immunol. 33(17-18):1389-401.

In some embodiments, the anti-05 antibody can bind to an epitope in thealpha chain of the human complement component C5 protein. Antibodiesthat bind to the alpha chain of C5 are described in, for example, PCTapplication publication no. WO 2010/136311 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,245.In some embodiments, the anti-05 antibody can bind to an epitope in thebeta chain of the human complement component C5 protein. Antibodies thatbind to the C5 beta chain are described in, e.g., Moongkarndi et al.(1982) Immunobiol 162:397; Moongkarndi et al. (1983) Immunobiol 165:323;and Mollnes et al. (1988) Scand 1 Immunol 28:307-312.

Additional anti-05 antibodies, and antigen-binding fragments thereof,suitable for use in the targeting constructs described herein aredescribed in, e.g., PCT application publication no. WO 2010/015608, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Antibodies that bind to C3b and, for example, inhibit the C3b convertaseare also well known in the art. For example, PCT application publicationnos. WO 2010/136311, WOb2009/056631, and WO 2008/154251, the disclosuresof each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.Antagonistic anti-C6 antibodies and anti-C7 antibodies have beendescribed in, e.g., Brauer et al. (1996) Transplantation 61(4):S88-S94and U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,345.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an anti-factor Bantibody (such as the monoclonal antibody 1379 produced by ATCC DepositNo. PTA-6230). Anti-factor B antibodies are also described in, e.g.,Ueda et al. (1987) J Immunol 138(4): 1143-9; Tanhehco et al. (1999)Transplant Proc 31(5):2168-71; U.S. patent application publication nos.20050260198 and 2008029911; and PCT publication no. WO 09/029669.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an anti-factor Dantibody, e.g., an antibody described in Pascual et al. (1990) 1 ImmunolMethods 127:263-269; Sahu et al. (1993) Mol Immunol 30(7):679-684;Pascual et al. (1993) Eur 1 Immunol 23: 1389-1392; Niemann et al. (1984)J Immunol 132(2):809-815; U.S. Pat. No. 7,439,331; or U.S. patentapplication publication no. 20080118506.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an anti-properdinantibody. Suitable anti-properdin antibodies are also well-known in theart and include, e.g., U.S. patent application publication nos.20110014614 and PCT application publication no. WO2009110918.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an anti-MBLantibody. Mannose-binding mannan-binding lectin (MBL), a plasma protein,forms a complex with proteins known as MBL-associated serine proteases(MASPs). MBL binds to several monosaccharides that are uncharacteristicof mammalian proteins, e.g., mannose, N-acetylglucosamine,N-acetylmannoseamine, L-fucose and glucose, whereas sialic acid andgalactose are not bound. When the MBL-MASP complex binds tomicroorganisms, the proenzymic forms of the serine proteases areactivated and mediate the activation of complement components C4 and C2,thereby generating the C3 convertase C4b2b and leading to opsonizationby the deposition of C4b and C3b fragments. MASP-2 has been shown tocleave C4 and C2, while MASP-1 may be responsible for direct cleavage ofC3. The functions of MASP-3 and MAp19 are less well understood. Studieshave shown a clear link between low levels of MBL and opsonicdeficiency, as well as clinical manifestations such as severe diarrhea,chronic hepatitis and HIV infection, and autoimmune disease. See,Petersen et al., J. Immunological Methods, 257: 107-16 (2001); Petersenet al., Molecular Immunology, 38: 133-49 (2001). Anti-mannan-bindinglectin antibodies are known in the art (see, e.g., Pradhan et al. (2012)Rheumatol. Int. epublished September, 2012) and commercially available(AbCam).

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an anti-MASPantibody. The mannan-binding lectin-associated serine proteases (MASPs)are a family of at least three proteins (mannan-bindinglectin-associated serine protease-1, -2 and -3 (MASP-1, MASP-2 andMASP-3, respectively)), which have been taught to play a significantrole in modulation of the lectin pathway of complement activation.Petersen et al., Molecular Immunology 38: 133-149 (2001).

MASP-1 has a histidine loop structure of the type found in trypsin andtrypsin-like serine proteases. MASP-1 has been found to be involved incomplement activation by MBL. A cDNA clone encoding MASP-1 has beenreported that encodes a putative leader peptide of 19 amino acidsfollowed by 680 amino acid residues predicted to form the maturepeptide. MASP-2 (MBL-associated serine protease 2) is a serine proteasealso similar in structure to CI r and CI s of the complement pathway.Like these, and contrary to MASP-1, it has no histidine loop structureof the type found in trypsin and trypsin-like serine proteases. It hasbeen theorized that MASP-1 can cleave C3, generating C3b, which may bedeposited on an activated cell or tissue surface

It has been shown that MASP-2, cleaves C4 and C2, giving rise to the C3convertase, C4b2b (Thiel et al., Nature, 386:506-10 (1997)). The MASP-2protein comprises of a number of domains namely the CUB1, EGF, CUB2,CCP1, CCP2 and serine protease domains. It is believed that the domainresponsible for association with MBL is situated in the N-terminus,whereas the serine protease domain is responsible for the serineprotease activity of MASP-2. sMAP, also known as MAp19, is a 19 kd isderived from the same gene as MASP-2, which lacks the serine proteasedomain and a major part of the A chain. Skjoedt et al., Immunobiology,215:921-31 (2010). Recently, a third member of the family, MASP-3 wasidentified, which shares a high degree of homology with MASP-1, suchthat it appears that MASP-1 and MASP-3 are generated as a result ofalternative splicing of primary mRNA transcripts.

Antibodies against MBL, MASP-1, MASP-2, MASP-3 and the MBL/MASP complex,and their use for inhibiting the adverse effects of complementactivation, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury, have been disclosed,for example, in WO04/075837; US 2009/0017031.

Other antibodies to MASP-2 have been described previously, as well. See,e.g., WO 02/06460, US2007/0009528, Peterson et al., Mol. Immunol.37:803-11 (2000), MoUer-Kristensen et al., J. of Immunol. Methods 282:159-67 (2003), Petersen et al., Mol. Immunol. 35:409, and WO 04/106384.

An additional related protein, MBL/Ficolin Associated Protein (MAP-1),which is present in low serum levels compared to MASP-1 and MASP-3, hasbeen reported to function as a local lectin pathway specific complementinhibitor. Skjodt et al., Molecular Immunology, 47:2229-30 (2010).Accordingly, MAP-1 itself, or fragments of MAP-1, may be useful in thepresent invention as an inhibitor of MASP, and accordingly, as alectin-pathway-specific inhibitor of complement activation. Finally, theficolin family of proteins are characterized by carbohydrate binding andopsonic activities, sharing a structure similar to MBL. Like MBL, theficolins have been shown to associate with MASPs in serum and maymediate complement activation in response to pathogenic, necrotic, orapoptotic cell-specific carbohydrate markers. Accordingly, inhibitors ofthe ficolin family or functional fragments thereof may be useful in thepresent invention as an inhibitor of MASPs and as a lectin-pathwayspecific inhibitor of complement activation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,333,034and 7,423,128; see also, WO 2008/154018 and WO 2009/110918.

In some embodiments, the inhibitor portion comprises an antibody (orantigen binding fragment thereof) that specifically binds to a humancomplement component protein (e.g., human C5, C6, C7, C8, or C9). Theterms “specific binding” or “specifically binds” refer to two moleculesforming a complex (e.g., a complex between an antibody and a complementcomponent protein) that is relatively stable under physiologicconditions. Typically, binding is considered specific when theassociation constant (Ka) is higher than 106 M−1. Thus, an antibody canspecifically bind to a C5 protein with a Ka of at least (or greaterthan) 106 (e.g., at least or greater than 107, 108, 109, 1010, 1011,1012, 1013, 1014, or 1015 or higher) M−1. Examples of antibodies thatspecifically bind to a human complement component C5 protein aredescribed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,245 and PCT applicationpublication no. WO 2010/015608.

Methods for determining whether an antibody binds to a protein antigenand/or the affinity for an antibody to a protein antigen are known inthe art and described herein. For example, the binding of an antibody toa protein antigen can be detected and/or quantified using a variety oftechniques such as, but not limited to, Western blot, dot blot, surfaceplasmon resonance method (e.g., BIAcore system; Pharmacia Biosensor AB,Uppsala, Sweden and Piscataway, N.J.), or enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay (ELISA) assays. See, e.g., Harlow and Lane (1988) “Antibodies: ALaboratory Manual” Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y.; Benny K. C. Lo (2004) “Antibody Engineering: Methods andProtocols,” Humana Press (ISBN: 1588290921); Borrebaek (1992) “AntibodyEngineering, A Practical Guide,” W.H. Freeman and Co., NY; Borrebaek(1995) “Antibody Engineering,” 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, NY,Oxford; Johne et al. (1993) 1 Immunol Meth. 160: 191-198; Jonsson et al.(1993) Ann Biol Clin 51: 19-26; and Jonsson et al. (1991) Biotechniques11:620-627. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,245.

In any of the embodiments described herein, the targeted molecule alsoincludes an amino acid linker sequence linking the targeting portion andthe inhibitor portion.

In some embodiments, a targeted molecule described herein comprises morethan one (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, or seven or more) inhibitorportion e.g., more than one complement inhibitor polypeptide or drugdescribed herein. The two or more inhibitor portions can be the same ordifferent. For example, a targeted molecule described herein cancomprise, in some embodiments, two or more soluble CD59 portions (e.g.,soluble human CD59 portions). In another example, a targeted moleculedescribed herein can contain two or more complement inhibitorpolypeptide portions, wherein one is a soluble human CD59 and another issoluble human MCP. In another example, a targeted molecule describedherein can contain a complement inhibitor and a drug, e.g., one solubleCD59 portion and one corticosteroid. Thus, e.g., a targeted moleculedescribed herein can comprise: (a) a targeting portion (e.g., a C2antibody, a B4 antibody, or an antigen-binding fragment of either of theforegoing); (b) a first inhibitor portion (e.g., a soluble form of CD59,e.g., human CD59); and (c) a second inhibitor portion (e.g., a solubleform of DAF, e.g., a soluble form of human DAF, or a corticosteroid suchas prednisone). The inhibitor portion can be, e.g., any of thosedescribed herein including variants and biologically active fragments ofthe complement inhibitors described herein.

In some embodiments, the light chain of the targeting portion of thetargeted molecule comprises at least one inhibitor portion and the heavychain comprises at least one inhibitor portion. The two or moreinhibitor portions can be the same or different. For example, in someembodiments, the targeted molecule comprises the Fab fragment of atargeting portion described herein, wherein: (i) the light chain of theFab fragment comprises (at its C-terminal end) an inhibitor portion suchas DAF, CD59, or any of the complement inhibitor polypeptides describedherein and (ii) the heavy chain of the Fab fragment comprises (at itsC-terminal end) the same or a different inhibitor portion as in (i),e.g., a complement inhibitor or a drug described herein. Appropriatepairing of the two chains can be expected to occur as an inherentproperty of the Fab. The inhibitor portion and the light chain or heavychain of the Fab can be joined together directly or by way of a linkersequence (such as any of those described herein).

In one embodiment, the targeted molecule comprises B4Crry comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 62. An exemplary nucleotide sequenceencoding B4Crry is provided in SEQ ID ON: 61. In one embodiment, thetargeted molecule comprises a homolog or biologically active fragment ofB4Crry. Homologs of the B4Crry include proteins which differ from B4Crrydescribed herein (or biologically-active fragment thereof) in that atleast one or a few, but not limited to one or a few, amino acids havebeen deleted (e.g., a truncated version of the protein, such as apeptide or fragment), inserted, inverted, substituted and/or derivatized(e.g., by glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, myristoylation,prenylation, palmitation, amidation and/or addition glycosylphosphatidylinositol). For example, homologue of B4Crry may have an amino acidsequence that is at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequenceB4Crry (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 62), for example at least about any of 75%,76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%,90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to theamino acid sequence of B4Crry (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 62). Amino acid sequenceidentity can be determined in various ways, for example, using publiclyavailable computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or MEGALIGN™(DNAST AR) software. One skilled in the art can determine appropriateparameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed toachieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences beingcompared.

In one embodiment, the targeted molecule comprises C2Crry comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 64. An exemplary nucleotide sequenceencoding C2Crry is provided in SEQ ID NO: 63. In one embodiment, thetargeted molecule comprises a homolog or biologically active fragment ofC2Crry. Homologs of the C2Crry include proteins which differ from C2Crrydescribed herein (or biologically-active fragment thereof) in that atleast one or a few, but not limited to one or a few, amino acids havebeen deleted (e.g., a truncated version of the protein, such as apeptide or fragment), inserted, inverted, substituted and/or derivatized(e.g., by glycosylation, phosphorylation, acetylation, myristoylation,prenylation, palmitation, amidation and/or addition glycosylphosphatidylinositol). For example, homologue of C2Crry may have an amino acidsequence that is at least about 70% identical to the amino acid sequenceC2Crry (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 64), for example at least about any of 75%,76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%,90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to theamino acid sequence of C2Crry (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 64). Amino acid sequenceidentity can be determined in various ways, for example, using publiclyavailable computer software such as BLAST, BLAST-2, ALIGN or MEGALIGN™(DNAST AR) software. One skilled in the art can determine appropriateparameters for measuring alignment, including any algorithms needed toachieve maximal alignment over the full length of the sequences beingcompared.

Preparation of Targeted Molecules

The molecules (described herein may be made by chemical synthesismethods, or by linkage of a polynucleotide encoding the targetingportion (e.g. B4 or C2 antibody or fragment thereof) and apolynucleotide encoding the inhibitor portion (with or without a linkersequence), and introducing the resulting polynucleotide molecule in avector for transfecting host cells that are capable of expressing themolecule. Chemical synthesis, especially solid phase synthesis, ispreferred for short peptides or those containing unnatural or unusualamino acids such as D-Tyr, Ornithine, and the like. Recombinantprocedures are preferred for longer polypeptides. The molecule can beisolated in vitro by protein purification methods. The molecule can alsobe provided “in situ” by introduction of a gene therapy system to thetissue of interest which then expresses the molecule.

Recombinant DNA techniques for making a fusion protein involves, insimplified form, taking the fusion protein encoding polynucleotide,inserting it into an appropriate vector, inserting the vector into anappropriate host cell, and recovering or isolating the fusion proteinproduced thereby.

Provided herein are polynucleotides that encode the molecule. Suchpolynucleotide may also be used for delivery and expression of molecule.For example, in some embodiments, there is provided a polynucleotideencoding a fusion protein comprising a targeting portion comprising anantibody or a fragment thereof described herein, and an inhibitorportion comprising an intact inhibitor molecule or a fragment thereof.In some embodiments, the polynucleotide also comprises a sequenceencoding a signal peptide operably linked at the 5′ end of the sequenceencoding the fusion protein. In some embodiments, a linker sequence isused for linking the targeting portion and the inhibitor portion

Also provided are expression vectors comprising a polynucleotidedescribed herein for expression of the fusion protein. The expressionvector can be used to direct expression of a fusion protein in vitro orin vivo. The vector may include any element to establish a conventionalfunction of a vector, for example, promoter, terminator, selectionmarker, and origin of replication. The promoter can be constitutive orregulative, and is selected from, for example, promoters of genes forgalactokinase (GAL1), uridylyltransferase (GALT), epimerase (GAL10),phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GPD), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), and the like.

Many expression vectors are known to those of skill in the art. Forexample, E. coli may be transformed using pBR322, a plasmid derived froman E. coli species (Mandel et al., J. Mol. Biol., 53:154 (1970)).Plasmid pBR322 contains genes for ampicillin and tetracyclineresistance, and thus provides easy means for selection. Other vectorsinclude different features such as different promoters, which are oftenimportant in expression. For example, plasmids pKK223-3 (Pharmacia FineChemicals, Uppsala, Sweden), pKK233-2 (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.,USA), and pGEM1 (Promega Biotech, Madison, Wis., USA), are allcommercially available. Other vectors that can be used in the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, pET21a (Studier et al.,Methods Enzymol., 185: 60-89 (1990)), pR1T5, and pR1T2T (PharmaciaBiotechnology), and pB0475 (Cunningham et al., Science, 243: 1330-1336(1989); U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,723). Mammalian expression vectors maycontain non-transcribed elements such as an origin of replication,promoter and enhancer, and 5′ or 3′ nontranslated sequences such asribosome binding sites, a polyadenylation site, acceptor site and splicedonor, and transcriptional termination sequences. Promoters for use inmammalian expression vectors usually are for example viral promoterssuch as Polyoma, Adenovirus, HTLV, Simian Virus 40 (SV 40), and humancytomegalovirus (CMV). Vectors can also be constructed using standardtechniques by combining the relevant traits of the vectors describedabove.

Also provided are host cells (such as isolated cells, transient celllines, and stable cell lines) for expressing the molecule describedherein. The host cell may be prokaryotic or eukaryotes. Exemplaryprokaryote host cells include E. coli K12 strain 294 (ATCC No. 31446),E. coli B, E. coli X1776 (ATCC No. 31537), E. coli W3110 (F-, gamma-,prototrophic/ATCC No. 27325), bacilli such as Bacillus subtilis, andother enterobacteriaceae such as Salmonella typhimurium or Serratiamarcesans, and various Pseudomonas species. One suitable prokaryotichost cell is E. coli BL21 (Stratagene), which is deficient in the OmpTand Lon proteases, which may interfere with isolation of intactrecombinant proteins, and useful with T7 promoter-driven vectors, suchas the pET vectors. Another suitable prokaryote is E. coli W3110 (ATCCNo. 27325). When expressed by prokaryotes the peptides typically containan N-terminal methionine or a formyl methionine and are notglycosylated. In the case of fusion proteins, the N-terminal methionineor formyl methionine resides on the amino terminus of the fusion proteinor the signal sequence of the fusion protein. These examples are, ofcourse, intended to be illustrative rather than limiting.

In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentousfungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts forfusion-protein-encoding vectors. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a commonlyused lower eukaryotic host microorganism. Others includeSchizosaccharomyces pombe (Beach and Nurse, Nature, 290: 140 (1981); EP139,383 published 2 May 1985); Kluyveromyces hosts (U.S. Pat. No.4,943,529; Fleer et al., Bio/Technology, 9:968-975 (1991)) such as,e.g., K. lactis (MW98-8C, CBS683, CBS4574; Louvencourt et al., J.Bacteriol., 154(2):737-742 (1983)), K. fragilis (ATCC 12,424), K.bulgaricus (ATCC No. 16,045), K. wickeramii (ATCC No. 24,178), K. waltii(ATCC No. 56,500), K. drosophilarum (ATCC No. 36,906; Van den Berg etal., Bio/Technology, 8:135 (1990)), K. thermotolerans, and K. marxianus;yarrowia (EP 402,226); Pichia pastoris (EP 183,070; Sreekrishna et al.,J. Basic Microbiol., 28:265-278 (1988)); Candida; Trichoderma reesia (EP244,234); Neurospora crassa (Case et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,76:5259-5263 (1979)); Schwanniomyces such as Schwanniomyces occidentalis(EP 394,538 published 31 Oct. 1990); and filamentous fungi such as,e.g., Neurospora, Penicillium, Tolypocladium (WO 91/00357 published 10Jan. 1991), and Aspergillus hosts such as A. nidulans (Ballance et al.,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 112:284-289 (1983); Tilburn et al.,Gene, 26:205-221 (1983); Yelton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:1470-1474 (1984)) and A. niger (Kelly and Hynes, EMBO J., 4:475-479(1985)). Methylotropic yeasts are suitable herein and include, but arenot limited to, yeast capable of growth on methanol selected from thegenera consisting of Hansenula, Candida, Kloeckera, Pichia,Saccharomyces, Torulopsis, and Rhodotorula. A list of specific speciesthat are exemplary of this class of yeasts may be found in C. Anthony,The Biochemistry of Methylotrophs, 269 (1982). Host cells also includeinsect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9, as well as plantcells.

Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines include, but are notlimited to, HeLa, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), COS-7, L cells, C127,3T3, BHK, CHL-1, NSO, HEK293, WI38, BHK, C127 or MDCK cell lines.Another exemplary mammalian cell line is CHL-1. When CHL-1 is usedhygromycin is included as a eukaryotic selection marker. CHL-1 cells arederived from RPMI 7032 melanoma cells, a readily available human cellline. Cells suitable for use in this invention are commerciallyavailable from the ATCC.

In some embodiments, the host cell is a non-human host cell. In someembodiment, the host cell is a CHO cell. In some embodiments, the hostcell is a 293 cell.

The molecules can be isolated by a variety of methods known in the art.In some embodiments, when the molecule is a fusion protein secreted intothe growth media, the molecule can be purified directly from the media.If the fusion protein is not secreted, it is isolated from cell lysates.Cell disruption can be done by any conventional method, includingfreeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of celllysing agents. The molecules can be obtained by various methods. Theseinclude, but are not limited to, immunoaffinity chromatography, reversephase chromatography, cation exchange chromatography, anion exchangechromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, gel filtrationchromatography, and HPLC. For example, the molecule can be purified byimmunoaffinity chromatography using an antibody that recognizes thetargeting portion or an antibody that recognizes the inhibitor portion,or both. In some embodiments, the molecule is purified by ion changechromatography.

The peptide may or may not be properly folded when expressed as a fusionprotein. These factors determine whether the fusion protein must bedenatured and refolded, and if so, whether these procedures are employedbefore or after cleavage. When denaturing and refolding are needed,typically the peptide is treated with a chaotrope, such a guanidine HCl,and is then treated with a redox buffer, containing, for example,reduced and oxidized dithiothreitol or glutathione at the appropriateratios, pH, and temperature, such that the peptide is refolded to itsnative structure.

The molecules described herein may also contain a tag (such as acleavable tag) for purification. This tag can be fused to the C-terminusor N-terminus of the targeting portion or the inhibitor portion, and canbe used to facilitate protein purification.

In some embodiments, the molecule could be synthesized de novo in wholeor in part, using chemical methods well known in the art. For example,the component amino acid sequences can be synthesized by solid phasetechniques, cleaved from the resin, and purified by preparative highperformance liquid chromatography followed by chemical linkage to form adesired polypeptide. The composition of the synthetic peptides may beconfirmed by amino acid analysis or sequencing.

The molecules can be assayed for their desired properties using in vitroor in vivo assays, for example surface plasmon resonance or in vitrozymosan complement assay.

Targeted Molecules in Combination with a Thrombolytic Agent

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprisinga thrombolytic agent in combination with a targeted molecule describedherein. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a sub-therapeuticamount of a thrombolytic agent in combination with a targeted molecule.In one embodiment, the thrombolytic agent is selected from a listcomprising but not limited to t-PA, urokinase, anistreplase, ancrod, andbrinase.

In certain embodiments, the composition comprises an amount of thethrombolytic agent that is less than the amount necessary when thethrombolytic agent is administered alone. For example, in certainembodiments, the amount or concentration of the thrombolytic agent, whenadministered in combination with a targeted complement inhibitordescribed herein, is about 1%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%,80%, 90%, or 95% of the amount or concentration of the thrombolyticagent that is efficacious when administered alone.

Uses of Targeted Molecules and Compositions Thereof

The targeted molecules described herein can function to specificallyinhibit in vivo complement activation in the complement pathway andinflammatory manifestations that accompany it, such as recruitment andactivation of macrophages, neutrophils, platelets, and mast cells,edema, tissue damage, and direct activation of local and endogenouscells. Compositions comprising these molecules can therefore be used fortreatment of diseases or conditions that are mediated by excessive oruncontrolled activation of the complement system, particularly diseasesor conditions mediated by excessive or uncontrolled activation ofcomplement signaling. In some embodiments, there are provided methods oftreating diseases involving local inflammation process.

In some embodiments, there is provided a method of treating a disease inwhich complement signaling is implicated in an individual, comprisingadministering to the individual an effective amount of a compositioncomprising a targeted molecule comprising: a) a targeting portioncomprising an antibody or a fragment thereof, and b) an inhibitorportion comprising an inhibitor (for example a complement inhibitor) ora fragment thereof. In some embodiments, there is provided a method ofinhibiting complement activation in an individual having a diseaseassociated with complement activation, comprising administering to theindividual an effective amount of a composition comprising a targetedmolecule comprising: a) a targeting portion comprising an antibody or afragment thereof, and b) an inhibitor portion comprising an inhibitormolecule or a fragment thereof. In some embodiments, there is provided amethod of inhibiting inflammation in an individual having a diseaseassociated with complement activation, comprising administering to theindividual an effective amount of a composition comprising a targetedmolecule comprising: a) a targeting portion comprising an antibody or afragment thereof, and b) an inhibitor portion comprising an inhibitor ora fragment thereof.

In some embodiments, the disease to be treated is ischemia reperfusioninjury. Ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury refers to inflammatory injuryto the endothelium and underlying parenchymal tissues followingreperfusion of hypoxic tissues. Ischemia reperfusion injury can resultin necrosis and irreversible cell injury. The complement pathway(including the alternative complement pathway) is a major mediator ofI/R injury. Methods provided herein are thus useful for treatment ofischemia reperfusion that occurs in any organ or tissues, such asischemia-reperfusion injury of any transplanted organ or tissue. Otherconditions and diseases in which ischemia-reperfusion injury occurs willbe known to those of skill in the art.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating asubject having, or who has had, an ischemic stroke, traumatic braininjury, or spinal cord injury. In certain embodiments, the methodcomprises administering to the subject one or more of the targetedmolecules described herein. In certain embodiments, the method comprisesthe use of one or more targeted molecules described herein as anadjuvant therapy in combination with one or more standard therapies. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the one or more targeted molecules areused in combination with rehabilitation therapy.

Exemplary types of rehabilitation therapy include, but is not limitedto, motor therapy, mobility training, constraint-induced therapy,range-of-motion therapy, electrical and magnetic stimulation,robot-assisted therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speechtherapy, cognitive therapy, visual rehabilitation and the like.

In one embodiment, the method comprises administering one or moretargeted molecules as described herein in combination with one or morethrombolytic agents. For example, in one embodiment, the methodcomprises administering to the subject a composition comprising atargeted molecule and a thrombolytic agent. In one embodiment, themethod comprises administering to the subject a first compositioncomprising a targeted molecule and a second composition comprising athrombolytic agent.

In certain aspects, the composition is administered to the subjectwithin 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour,2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, 7 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, or morefollowing the onset of stroke or injury. In certain aspects the use ofthe composition as an adjuvant therapy in combination with one or moreother therapies increases the therapeutic window for the treatment ofstroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury.

Administration

The compositions described herein can be administered to an individualvia any route, including, but not limited to, intravenous (e.g., byinfusion pumps), intraperitoneal, intraocular, intra-arterial,intrapulmonary, oral, inhalation, intravesicular, intramuscular,intra-tracheal, subcutaneous, intrathecal, transdermal, transpleural,topical, inhalational (e.g., as mists of sprays), mucosal (such as vianasal mucosa), gastrointestinal, intraarticular, intracisternal,intraventricular, rectal (i.e., via suppository), vaginal (i.e., viapessary), intracranial, intraurethral, intrahepatic, and intratumoral.In some embodiments, the compositions are administered systemically (forexample by intravenous injection). In some embodiments, the compositionsare administered locally (for example by intraarterial or intraocularinjection in intracerebral injection).

Combination Therapy

In some embodiments, provided pharmaceutical formulations areadministered to a subject in combination with one or more othertherapeutic agents or modalities, for example, useful in the treatmentof one or more diseases, disorders, or conditions treated by therelevant provided pharmaceutical formulation, so the subject issimultaneously exposed to both. In some embodiments, a composition isutilized in a pharmaceutical formulation that is separate from anddistinct from the pharmaceutical formulation containing the othertherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, a composition is admixed withthe composition comprising the other therapeutic agent. In other words,in some embodiments, a composition is produced individually, and thecomposition is simply mixed with another composition comprising anothertherapeutic agent.

The particular combination of therapies (substances and/or procedures)to employ in a combination regimen will take into account compatibilityof the desired substances and/or procedures and the desired therapeuticeffect to be achieved. In some embodiments, provided formulations can beadministered concurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, one or moreother therapeutic agents (e.g., desired known immunosuppressivetherapeutics).

It will be appreciated that the therapies employed may achieve a desiredeffect for the same disorder or they may achieve different effects. Insome embodiments, compositions in accordance with the invention areadministered with a second therapeutic agent.

As used herein, the terms “in combination with” and “in conjunctionwith” mean that the provided formulation can be administeredconcurrently with, prior to, or subsequent to, one or more other desiredtherapeutics such as a rehabilitation therapy. In general, eachsubstance will be administered at a dose and/or on a time scheduledetermined for that agent.

In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering a compositioncomprising a combination of a thrombolytic agent and a targetedinhibitor described herein. For example, in one embodiment the methodcomprises administering a composition comprising t-PA and a targetedinhibitor described herein.

In certain embodiments, the method comprises administering one or morecompositions. For example, in one embodiment, the method comprisesadministering a first composition comprising a thrombolytic agent and asecond composition comprising a targeted inhibitor described herein. Inone embodiment, the method comprises administering a first compositioncomprising t-PA and a second composition comprising a targeted inhibitordescribed herein. The different compositions may be administered to thesubject in any order and in any suitable interval. For example, incertain embodiments, the one or more compositions are administeredsimultaneously or near simultaneously. In certain embodiments, themethod comprises a staggered administration of the one or morecompositions, where a first composition is administered and a secondcomposition administered at some later time point. Any suitable intervalof administration which produces the desired therapeutic effect may beused.

In certain embodiments, the method has an additive effect, wherein theoverall effect of the administering a combination of therapeutic agentsor procedures is approximately equal to the sum of the effects ofadministering each therapeutic agent or procedure alone. In otherembodiments, the method has a synergistic effect, wherein the overalleffect of administering a combination of therapeutic agents orprocedures is greater than the sum of the effects of administering eachtherapeutic agent or procedure alone.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising atargeted molecule described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier. The pharmaceutical compositions may be suitable for a varietyof modes of administration described herein, including for examplesystemic or localized administration. The pharmaceutical compositionscan be in the form of eye drops, injectable solutions, or in a formsuitable for inhalation (either through the mouth or the nose) or oraladministration. The pharmaceutical compositions described herein can bepackaged in single unit dosages or in multidosage forms.

In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for administration tohuman. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for intraocular injection.In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for topical application. Insome embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for intravenous injection.In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier suitable for injection into thearteries.

The compositions are generally formulated as sterile, substantiallyisotonic, and in full compliance with all Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP) regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In someembodiments, the composition is free of pathogen. For injection, thepharmaceutical composition can be in the form of liquid solutions, forexample in physiologically compatible buffers such as Hank's solution orRinger's solution. In addition, the pharmaceutical composition can be ina solid form and redissolved or suspended immediately prior to use.Lyophilized compositions are also included.

For oral administration, the pharmaceutical compositions can take theform of, for example, tablets or capsules prepared by conventional meanswith pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents(e.g., pregelatinized maize starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone orhydroxypropyl methylcellulose); fillers (e.g., lactose, microcrystallinecellulose or calcium hydrogen phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesiumstearate, talc or silica); disintegrants (e.g., potato starch or sodiumstarch glycolate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate).Liquid preparations for oral administration can take the form of, forexample, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they can be presented as adry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle beforeuse. Such liquid preparations can be prepared by conventional means withpharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g.,sorbitol syrup, cellulose derivatives or hydrogenated edible fats);emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles(e.g., ationd oil, oily esters, ethyl alcohol or fractionated vegetableoils); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl-p-hydroxybenzoates orsorbic acid). The preparations can also contain buffer salts, flavoring,coloring and sweetening agents as appropriate.

The present invention in some embodiments provides compositionscomprising a targeted molecule and a pharmaceutically acceptable carriersuitable for administration to the eye. Such pharmaceutical carriers canbe sterile liquids, such as water and oil, including those of petroleum,animal, vegetable or synthetic origin, such as peanut oil, soybean oil,mineral oil, and the like. Saline solutions and aqueous dextrose,polyethylene glycol (PEG) and glycerol solutions can also be employed asliquid carriers, particularly for injectable solutions. Suitablepharmaceutical excipients include starch, glucose, lactose, sucrose,gelatin, malt, rice, sodium state, glycerol monostearate, glycerol,propylene, water, and the like. The pharmaceutical composition, ifdesired, can also contain minor amounts of wetting or emulsifyingagents, or pH buffering agents. The molecule and other components of thecomposition may be encased in polymers or fibrin glues to providecontrolled release of the molecule. These compositions can take the formof solutions, suspensions, emulsions, ointment, gel, or other solid orsemisolid compositions, and the like. The compositions typically have apH in the range of 4.5 to 8.0. The compositions must also be formulatedto have osmotic values that are compatible with the aqueous humor of theeye and ophthalmic tissues. Such osmotic values will generally be in therange of from about 200 to about 400 milliosmoles per kilogram of water(“mOsm/kg”), but will preferably be about 300 mOsm/kg.

In some embodiment, the composition is formulated in accordance withroutine procedures as a pharmaceutical composition adapted for injectionintravenously, intraperitoneally, or intracranially. Typically,compositions for injection are solutions in sterile isotonic aqueousbuffer. Where necessary, the composition may also include a solubilizingagent and a local anesthetic such as lignocaine to ease pain at the siteof the injection. Generally, the ingredients are supplied eitherseparately or mixed together in unit dosage form, for example, as a drylyophilized powder or water free concentrate in a hermetically sealedcontainer such as an ampoule or sachette indicating the quantity ofactive agent. Where the composition is to be administered by infusion,it can be dispensed with an infusion bottle containing sterilepharmaceutical grade water or saline. Where the composition isadministered by injection, an ampoule of sterile water for injection orsaline can be provided so that the ingredients may be mixed prior toadministration.

The compositions may further comprise additional ingredients, forexample preservatives, buffers, tonicity agents, antioxidants andstabilizers, nonionic wetting or clarifying agents, viscosity-increasingagents, and the like.

Suitable preservatives for use in a solution include polyquaternium-1,benzalkonium chloride, thimerosal, chlorobutanol, methyl paraben, propylparaben, phenylethyl alcohol, edetate disodium, sorbic acid,benzethonium chloride, and the like. Typically (but not necessarily),such preservatives are employed at a level of from 0.001% to 1.0% byweight.

Suitable buffers include boric acid, sodium and potassium bicarbonate,sodium and potassium borates, sodium and potassium carbonate, sodiumacetate, sodium biphosphate and the like, in amounts sufficient tomaintain the pH at between about pH 6 and pH 8, and preferably, betweenabout pH 7 and pH 7.5.

Suitable tonicity agents are dextran 40, dextran 70, dextrose, glycerin,potassium chloride, propylene glycol, sodium chloride, and the like,such that the sodium chloride equivalent of the ophthalmic solution isin the range 0.9 plus or minus 0.2%.

Suitable antioxidants and stabilizers include sodium bisulfite, sodiummetabisulfite, sodium thiosulfite, thiourea and the like. Suitablewetting and clarifying agents include polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20,poloxamer 282 and tyloxapol. Suitable viscosity-increasing agentsinclude dextran 40, dextran 70, gelatin, glycerin, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxmethylpropylcellulose, lanolin, methylcellulose,petrolatum, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethylcellulose and the like.

The use of viscosity enhancing agents to provide topical compositionswith viscosities greater than the viscosity of simple aqueous solutionsmay be desirable. Such viscosity building agents include, for example,polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose,hydroxy propyl cellulose or other agents know to those skilled in theart. Such agents are typically employed at a level of from 0.01% to 2%by weight.

In some embodiments, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition fordelivery of a nucleotide encoding the molecule. The pharmaceuticalcomposition for gene therapy can be in an acceptable diluent, or cancomprise a slow release matrix in which the gene delivery vehicle orcompound is imbedded. Alternatively, where the complete gene deliverysystem can be produced intact from recombinant cells, e.g., retroviralvectors, the pharmaceutical composition can comprise one or more cellswhich produce the gene delivery system.

In clinical settings, a gene delivery system for a gene therapeutic canbe introduced into a subject by any of a number of methods. Forinstance, a pharmaceutical composition of the gene delivery system canbe introduced systemically, e.g., by intravenous injection, and specifictransduction of the protein in the target cells occurs predominantlyfrom specificity of transfection provided by the gene delivery vehicle,cell-type or tissue-type expression due to the transcriptionalregulatory sequences controlling expression of the receptor gene, or acombination thereof. In other embodiments, initial delivery of therecombinant gene is more limited with introduction into the animal beingquite localized. For example, the gene delivery vehicle can beintroduced by catheter, See U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,470, or by stereotacticinjection, Chen et al. (1994), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 91:3054-3057. A polynucleotide encoding a targeted inhibitor molecule canbe delivered in a gene therapy construct by electroporation usingtechniques described, Dev et al. (1994), Cancer Treat. Rev. 20:105-115.

Dosing

The optimal effective amount of the compositions can be determinedempirically and will depend on the type and severity of the disease,route of administration, disease progression and health, mass and bodyarea of the individual. Such determinations are within the skill of onein the art. The effective amount can also be determined based on invitro complement activation assays. Examples of dosages of moleculeswhich can be used for methods described herein include, but are notlimited to, an effective amount within the dosage range of any of about0.01 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg, or within about 0.1 mg/kg to about 40mg/kg, or with about 1 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, or within about 1 mg/kgto about 10 mg/kg. In some embodiments, the amount of compositionadministered to an individual is about 10 mg to about 500 mg per dose,including for example any of about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 50 mg toabout 100 mg, about 100 mg to about 200 mg, about 200 mg to about 300mg, about 300 mg to about 500 mg, about 500 mg to about 1 mg, about 1 mgto about 10 mg, about 10 mg to about 50 mg, about 50 mg to about 100 mg,about 100 mg to about 200 mg, about 200 mg to about 300 mg, about 300 mgto about 400 mg, or about 400 mg to about 500 mg per dose.

The compositions may be administered in a single daily dose, or thetotal daily dose may be administered in divided dosages of two, three,or four times daily. The compositions can also be administered lessfrequently than daily, for example, six times a week, five times a week,four times a week, three times a week, twice a week, once a week, onceevery two weeks, once every three weeks, once a month, once every twomonths, once every three months, or once every six months. Thecompositions may also be administered in a sustained releaseformulation, such as in an implant which gradually releases thecomposition for use over a period of time, and which allows for thecomposition to be administered less frequently, such as once a month,once every 2-6 months, once every year, or even a single administration.The sustained release devices (such as pellets, nanoparticles,microparticles, nanospheres, microspheres, and the like) may beadministered by injection or surgical implantation in various locations.

Dosage amounts and frequency will vary according the particularformulation, the dosage form, and individual patient characteristics.Generally speaking, determining the dosage amount and frequency for aparticular formulation, dosage form, and individual patientcharacteristic can be accomplished using conventional dosing studies,coupled with appropriate diagnostics.

Unit Dosages, Articles of Manufacture, and Kits

Also provided are unit dosage forms of compositions, each dosagecontaining from about 0.01 mg to about 50 mg, including for example anyof about 0.1 mg to about 50 mg, about 1 mg to about 50 mg, about 5 mg toabout 40 mg, about 10 mg to about 20 mg, or about 15 mg of the targetedmolecule. In some embodiments, the unit dosage forms of targetedmolecule composition comprise about any of 0.01 mg-0.1 mg, 0.1 mg-0.2mg, 0.2 mg-0.25 mg, 0.25 mg-0.3 mg, 0.3 mg-0.35 mg, 0.35 mg-0.4 mg, 0.4mg-0.5 mg, 0.5 mg-1.0 mg, 10 mg-20 mg, 20 mg-50 mg, 50 mg-80 mg, 80mg-100 mg, 100 mg-150 mg, 150 mg-200 mg, 200 mg-250 mg, 250 mg-300 mg,300 mg-400 mg, or 400 mg-500 mg targeted inhibitor molecule. In someembodiments, the unit dosage form comprises about 0.25 mg targetedmolecule. The term “unit dosage form” refers to a physically discreteunit suitable as unitary dosages for an individual, each unit containinga predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce thedesired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitablepharmaceutical carrier, diluent, or excipient. These unit dosage formscan be stored in suitable packaging in single or multiple unit dosagesand may also be further sterilized and sealed.

The present invention also provides kits comprising compositions (orunit dosages forms and/or articles of manufacture) described herein andmay further comprise instruction(s) on methods of using the composition,such as uses described herein. The kits described herein may furtherinclude other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint,including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, andpackage inserts with instructions for performing any methods describedherein.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLES

The invention is further described in detail by reference to thefollowing experimental examples. These examples are provided forpurposes of illustration only, and are not intended to be limitingunless otherwise specified. Thus, the invention should in no way beconstrued as being limited to the following examples, but rather, shouldbe construed to encompass any and all variations which become evident asa result of the teaching provided herein.

Without further description, it is believed that one of ordinary skillin the art can, using the preceding description and the followingillustrative examples, make and utilize the present invention andpractice the claimed methods. The following working examples therefore,specifically point out the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, and are not to be construed as limiting in any way theremainder of the disclosure.

Example 1: The Use of B4Crry and t-PA for Treating Stroke

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of administeringB4Crry, t-PA, or the combination of B4Crry and t-PA in treating stroke.It is demonstrated herein that the combination of B4Crry and t-PAreduces t-PA associated hemorrhage and extends the window of efficacyoft-PA therapy.

In order to assess the interaction between B4Crry and t-PA treatment,experiments were conducted using a microembolic model of ischemicstroke. In this model, high dose emboli (1×10⁷ clots) homogenized to adiameter or 2-7 μm were injected via a catheter to the origin of middlecerebral artery. Following injection of emboli, B4Crry (16 mg/kg), t-PA(8 mg/kg), or both B4Crry and t-PA were administered at 2, 4, or 6 hoursafter emboli administration. Animals were assessed for survival over 72hours and assessed daily for neurological deficit up to 72 hours. Adifferent subset of animals was euthanized at 48 hours for brainextraction, homogenization and assessment of hemoglobin content (viaDrabkin reagent approach), and complement activation (via C3a ELISA).

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of administeringB4Crry, t-PA, or the combination of B4Crry and t-PA 2 hours after stroke(FIG. 1A-FIG. 1E).

It was observed that all treatment groups had comparable acute survivalup to 3-days after microemboli administration (FIG. 1A) However, asignificant reduction in ipsilateral hemoglobin content 48 hours afterMCAO was observed when treated with B4Crry alone or in combination witht-PA but not by t-PA alone (FIG. 1B). A C3a ELISA was performed 48 hoursafter microemboli administration. A significant effect of B4Crry and nott-PA on reducing post-stroke complement C3 cleavage was observed (FIG.1C). Neurological deficit of animals 72 hours after microemboliadministration was measured, which showed reduction in deficits in allthree treatment groups (FIG. 1D). The infarct volume was assessed by TTCstaining showing a significant reduction in infarct in all treatmentgroups at 72 hours after microemboli administration (FIG. 1E).Collectively, these experiments demonstrate that the combination ofB4Crry and t-PA reduces t-PA associated hemorrhage and improves survivalwhen administered 2 hours after stroke.

Experiments were also conducted to examine the effects of administeringB4Crry, t-PA, or the combination of B4Crry and t-PA 4 hours after stroke(FIG. 2A-FIG. 2E).

Kaplan-Meyer survival curves show reduction in survival with t-PAtherapy that is nearly statistically significant (FIG. 2A). FIG. 2Billustrates hemoglobin content in the ipsilateral hemisphere 48 hoursafter MCAO showing a significant increase in hemoglobin by t-PA alonethat is reversed in animals receiving co-treatment with B4Crry. A C3aELISA was performed 48 hours after microemboli administration showingcomparable levels of C3a in vehicle and t-PA treated animals and a nearsignificant reduction in levels in animals treated with B4Crry (FIG.2C). FIG. 2D depicts neurological deficit of animals 72 hours aftermicroemboli administration showing significant reduction in deficits inall three treatment groups. Infarct volume was assessed by TTC staining,showing a significant reduction in infarct only in animals co-treatedwith B4Crry and t-PA (FIG. 2E). One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni's test formultiple comparisons. N=6/group. *P<0.05 compared to vehicle.Collectively, these experiments demonstrate that the combination ofB4Crry and t-PA reduces t-PA associated hemorrhage and improves survivalwhen administered 4 hours after stroke.

Experiments were also conducted to examine the effects of administeringB4Crry, t-PA, or the combination of B4Crry and t-PA 6 hours after stroke(FIG. 3A-FIG. 3E).

Kaplan-Meyer survival curves demonstrate significant reduction insurvival compared to vehicle in animals treated with t-PA but notco-treated with B4Crry (FIG. 3A). FIG. 3B depicts Hemoglobin content inthe ipsilateral hemisphere 48 hours after MCAO showing a significantincrease in hemoglobin by t-PA alone that is reversed in animalsreceiving co-treatment with B4Crry. A C3a ELISA was performed 48 hoursafter microemboli administration showing comparable levels of C3a invehicle and t-PA treated animals and a significant reduction in levelsin animals treated with B4Crry (FIG. 3C). FIG. 3D depicts resultsindicating neurological deficit of animals 72 hours after microemboliadministration showing significant reduction in deficits only in animalsreceiving co-therapy compared to vehicle control. Infarct volumeassessed by TTC staining showing a significant reduction in infarct inanimals co-treated with B4Crry and t-PA compared to vehicle or t-PA only(FIG. 3C). Collectively, these experiments demonstrate that thecombination of B4Crry and t-PA reduces t-PA associated hemorrhage andimproves survival when administered 4 hours after stroke.

It is noted that the same vehicle animals were used in the experimentsdepicted in FIG. 1 -FIG. 3 . The experiments presented hereindemonstrate that combination of B4Crry and t-PA reduces t-PA associatedhemorrhage and extends the window of efficacy of t-PA therapy.

Experiments were also conducted to evaluate motor and cognitive recoveryafter embolic stroke in subjects treated with t-PA, B4Crry, or thecombination of B4Crry and t-PA. Animals were subjected to microembolicstroke, treated with t-PA, B4Crry, the combination of B4Crry and t-PA,or vehicle at 2 hours and assessed over 30 days. FIG. 4A depicts aKaplan-Meyer survival curve showing that animals treated with B4Crry andt-PA have significantly better 30-day survival compared to vehicle aftermicroembolic stroke and standard care (No rehabilitation). FIG. 4Bdepicts neurological deficit scores showing that B4Crry, t-PA and moreeffectively their combination significantly improve recovery of functiondeficits over 30 days of recovery after microembolic stroke and standardcare. FIG. 4C depicts normalized laterality index on corner task showinga similar improvement in forearm laterality with the differenttreatments compared to vehicle supporting the findings on neurologicaldeficits. FIG. 4D depicts cognitive performance as assessed by Barnesmaze showing significantly faster acquisition and retention of spatialmemory in animals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry in combination with t-PAbut not t-PA alone.

Example 2: The Effect of B4Crry on Acute and Chronic Recovery afterStroke

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of B4Crry on acute andchronic outcomes after stroke modeled using the middle cerebral arteryocclusion model. Motor and cognitive outcomes were assessed over 15days. Inflammatory and regenerative markers were also investigated usingimmunostaining of brain sections.

Experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of B4Crry inimproving chronic outcomes in Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion model(MCAO) of ischemic stroke with 60 minutes of ischemia. FIG. 5A is agraph illustrating daily neurological deficit score, showing that unlikeB4scFv, B4Crry treatment at either 2 hours or 6 hours after ischemiaresulted in a significant acute reduction in deficit compared to vehiclecontrols which was sustained throughout 15 days of recovery. FIG. 5Bthrough FIG. 5E demonstrates that animals treated with B4Crry (2 or 6hours after ischemia) display a significant reduction in forelimblaterality (corner task, FIG. 5B), significant improvement in skilledhandling (pasta task, FIG. 5C), significant improvement in spatiallearning (Barnes maze, FIG. 5D) and significant improvement in memoryretention (passive avoidance, FIG. 5E) with B4Crry treatment at either 2or 6 hours after ischemia compared to vehicle throughout 15 days ofrecovery after MCAO FIG. 5F depicts the effect of B4Crry administered at2 or 6 hours after stroke showing significant reduction in lesion volumecalculated through 3D-reconstruction of lesions from Nissl stained brainsections at 15 days after MCAO. FIG. 5G through FIG. 5J depicts theprotective effects of B4Crry administered 24 hours after MCAO onreducing lesion volume (Nissl stain, FIG. 5G), reducing neurologicaldeficits (FIG. 5H) and forelimb laterality (corner test, Figure SI), andimproving spatial learning and memory (Barnes maze, FIG. 5J) compared tovehicle. FIG. 5K and FIG. 5L depicts the effect of B4Crry (administered2 hours after MCAO) on neurological deficits (FIG. 5K) and lesion volume(FIG. 5L) in adult female mice. FIG. 5M depicting the effect of B4Crry(administered 2 hours after MCAO) on survival of aged (10 months old)mice after MCAO.

Experiments were also conducted to examine the effects of B4Crry onmarkers of inflammation 15 days after MCAO in mice. FIG. 6A depicts thequantification, using mean grid intersects, of IgM and complement (C3 d)deposition in the brain after MCAO and treatment with vehicle or B4Crry(2 hours after MCAO) using immunofluorescence staining. Student'st-test, N=6 animals (2 fields/animal), FIG. 6B shows immunofluorescenceof inflammatory microglia (using Mac2 as a marker) and anti-inflammatorymicroglia (using Ym1 as a marker) in the brain 15 days after MCAOshowing the B4Crry reduces the activation of inflammatory microgliaduring chronic recovery. FIG. 6C illustrates immunofluorescence ofinflammatory microglia (using Iba1 as a marker), neurons (Neurotrace asa marker), dendrites (MAP-2 as a marker), and DAPI as a nuclear stain.The figure shows extensive microglia proliferation that is associatedwith loss of neurons and dendrites in the perilesional basal ganglia,hippocampus and cortex at 15 days after MCAO, a process that isinterrupted by acute B4Crry treatment.

Example 3: The Effect of C2Crry on Acute and Chronic Recovery afterStroke

Experiments were conducted to examine the effects of C2Crry on acute andchronic outcomes after stroke modeled using the middle cerebral arteryocclusion model. C2Crry or vehicle was administered to mice 2 hoursafter MCAO, and were evaluated for survival, neurological deficit, andmemory retention for 14-21 days.

It was observed that mice treated with C2Crry post stroke had increasedsurvival (FIG. 7A). Further, it was observed that mice treated withC2Crry displayed a decrease in neurological deficit after stroke, ascompared to vehicle (FIG. 7B). Further, it was observed that micetreated with C2Crry displayed greater memory retention as compared tovehicle treated mice (FIG. 7C).

Example 4: A Synergistic Effect of Complement Modulation andRehabilitation on Chronic Recovery after Stroke with or without t-PAAdministration

Experiments were conducted to examine the effect of B4-Crry in thecontext of the two standards of care for stroke, namely t-PA andrehabilitation therapy. The model used in this example is a microembolicstroke model where microembolic (dose of 1×10⁷ emboli) were injectedinto the middle cerebral artery followed by administration of vehicle,t-PA (8 mg/kg), B4Crry (16 mg/kg), or combination of t-PA (8 mg/kg) andB4Crry (16 mg/kg) at 2 hours after stroke. Animals were then allocatedto a rehabilitation (enriched environment) or to normal housing startingday 2 after stroke until 30 days after srple (FIG. 4A-FIG. 4H). FIG.4A-FIG. 4D depicts findings of animals in regular housing. FIG. 4E-FIG.4H depicts animals in rehabilitation environment.

The methods employed in these experiments are described.

B4-Crry Treatment to Evaluate Acute Hemorrhage and Survival after MCAO

The percentage of animals dying due to hemorrhage (of total acutedeaths) was measured in B4-Crry treated animals compared to controls.Hemoglobin content in the ipsilateral hemisphere was measured 12 hoursafter B4-Crry treated MCAO and compared to vehicle. Brain sections wereNissl stained and evaluated for hemorrhagic transformation andintracerebral hemorrhage in B4-Crry treated animals compared to vehiclecontrols at 24 hours after MCAO. Survival throughout 15 days of recoveryafter MCAO was evaluated following the combination of B4-Crry andrehabilitation. Survival curve measurements were made to evaluatedpost-stroke mortality up to 15 days after injury.

B4Crry Treatment+ Rehabilitation after MCAO

Brains of mice that underwent MCAO and were treated with B4-Crry+Rehabwere evaluated by T2-weighted MRI and immunohistochemistry in order toevaluate infarct exacerbation and scarring. Imaging of brains followingMCAO T2-weighted MRI scans were conducted at days 4 and 14 after MCAO invehicle and rehab animals compared to B4Crry treated animals with orwithout rehab. Brains were Nissl stained. Lesions were mapped atdifferent stereotactic coordinates (relative to Bregma) to the Paxinosbrain atlas to determine the location and size of lesion as well as thefrequency of involvement of each brain region across animals.Quantification of lesion volume were used to compare histologicallywhether B4-Crry reduces secondary scarring 15 days after MCAO relativeto vehicle or rehab alone.

Cognitive Performance after MCAO with Rehab or B4-Crry

Spatial learning (days 9-11 after MCAO) and retention of learned memory(day 15 post-MCAO) were evaluated in B4-Crry mice compared to vehiclecontrols as assessed by the total path length or Barnes maze beforereaching the target hole or the number of error pokes. Co-treatment withB4-Crry and rehab was also evaluated. Passive avoidance was evaluated inanimals treated with B4Crry+/−rehab to evaluate memory retention (longertime to enter the shock chamber) compared to vehicle and rehab alonestarting 7 days after MCAO. Principle component analysis of theperformance on the different motor and cognitive tasks was alsoevaluated.

Evaluation of Inflammatory Response after MCAO in B4-Crry-TreatedAnimals

Sustained neuroinflammatory response was evaluated in terms of C3d andIgM deposition and inflammatory microglial activation 15 days after MCAOfollowing single acute administration of B4-Crry 90 minutes after MCAO.

B4-Crry Impact on Effectiveness of Rehab Therapy

The effect of B4-Crry treatment on the persistence of regenerativemechanisms was evaluated to determine whether maximal effect of rehabtherapy was able to be achieved. Dcx immunostaining of perilesionalhippocampi was quantified in terms of the number of neuroblastsmigrating to the ipsilateral hippocampus 15 days after injury withrehab, B4-Crry or combination therapy. Immunostaining for markers ofregeneration and remodeling including dendritic arborization (MAP2),synaptic density (PSD-95) and axonal growth (GAP-43) of full brainslices were also evaluated to determine whether the combination ofB4Crry and rehab effect dendritic and axonal growth relative to theperi-lesional area and synaptic density.

The results of the experiments are now described.

B4Crry Enhances t-PA and Rehabilitation-Induced Chronic Motor Recoveryafter Stroke

Functional and motor recovery after stroke was assessed by neurologicaldeficit scores and the corner task (measure of forearm laterality). Inthe absence of rehabilitation, t-PA and B4Crry resulted in equivalentreduction in neurological deficits and forearm laterality over 30 days(FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C), but combination of B4Crry and t-PA resulted in amore robust reduction in neurological deficit and forearm laterality.FIG. 4B depicts the neurological deficit over 30 days after embolicstroke and shows that t-PA, B4Crry, and more effectively theircombination, reduce chronic neurological deficits. FIG. 4C depictsforearm laterality index on corner task, and shows that t-PA, B4Crry,and more effectively their combination, reduces chronic forearmlaterality. In the context of rehabilitation, a similar effect is seenas in normal housing in terms of a significant reduction in neurologicaldeficit and forearm laterality in animals treated with B4Crry or B4Crryand t-PA compared to vehicle (rehabilitation only) as in FIG. 4F andFIG. 4G. However, compared to no rehabilitation, rehabilitation did notsignificantly improve motor function (neurological deficit or forearmlaterality), but when combined with B4Crry or B4Crry+t-PA,rehabilitation had an additional effect on motor function (FIG. 4F andFIG. 4G compared to FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C). FIG. 4F depicts theneurological deficit over 30 days after embolic stroke in animalssubjected to rehabilitation after treatment with vehicle, t-PA, B4Crryor B4Crry+t-PA. FIG. 4G depicts forearm laterality index on corner taskin animals subjected to rehabilitation after treatment with vehicle,t-PA, B4Crry or B4Crry+t-PA. Compared to no rehabilitation, animalstreated with rehabilitation+B4Crry or rehabilitation+B4Crry+t-PA hadsignificantly lower forearm laterality on corner task compared toanimals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry+t-PA in absence of rehabilitationrespectively. These results show that B4Crry enhances the effects ofboth t-PA and rehabilitation on motor recovery after embolic stroke.

B4Crry but not t-PA Enhances Rehabilitation-Induced Chronic CognitiveRecovery after Stroke

Cognitive recovery after embolic stroke was assessed at 24-30 days afterstroke using the Barnes maze task to evaluate the effect of treatment onthe ability of mice to learn and retain spatial memory. It is firstshown that in the absence or presence of rehabilitation, t-PA alone doesnot improve spatial learning over 5 days of training on the Barnes mazemeasured by the total path required for the animals to find the escapehole, and did not improve the retention of learned memory compared tovehicle in either groups (non-rehabilitation: FIG. 4D; orrehabilitation: FIG. 4H). Rehabilitation alone resulted in mildimprovement in spatial learning and memory compared to normal housing.B4Crry alone and in combination of t-PA resulted in a significantimprovement in the learning and retention of learned memory compared toboth vehicle and t-PA in the absence of rehabilitation (FIG. 4D). FIG.4D depicts the results of the Barnes maze task performed on days 24-30after stroke and show that animals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry+t-PAhad a significantly better spatial learning and retention of learnedmemory compared to t-PA alone or vehicle in absence of rehabilitation. Asimilar effect of significant improvement in the learning and retentionof learned memory in animals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry+t-PA comparedto both vehicle and t-PA was also seen when all groups receivedrehabilitation therapy (FIG. 4H). Comparing B4Crry+t-PA or B4Crry toB4Crry+t-PA+rehabilitation or B4Crry+rehabilitation respectively showedthat rehabilitation exhibits an additive effect in improving learningand memory retention chronically after stroke. FIG. 4H depicts theresults of the Barnes maze task performed on days 24-30 after stroke andshow that animals treated with B4Crry or B4Crry+t-PA had a significantlybetter spatial learning and retention of learned memory compared to t-PAalone or vehicle in presence of rehabilitation, and compared to B4Crryor B4Crry-tPA in absence of rehabilitation.

Example 5: Traumatic Brain Injury

Experiments are conducted to examine the effect of a targeted complementinhibitor (e.g. B4Crry) on the recovery after traumatic brain injury.Two months after TBI, animals received 3 doses of vehicle or targetedcomplement inhibitor every other day, and then assigned torehabilitation (enriched environment or regular housing). Recovery isassessed using the Barnes maze to measure learning and retention oflearned memory.

The disclosures of each and every patent, patent application, andpublication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety. While this invention has been disclosed with referenceto specific embodiments, it is apparent that other embodiments andvariations of this invention may be devised by others skilled in the artwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Theappended claims are intended to be construed to include all suchembodiments and equivalent variations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating central nervous systeminjury in a subject, the method comprising (a) administering to thesubject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising atargeted inhibitor molecule comprising a targeting portion and acomplement inhibitor, and (b) providing rehabilitation therapy to thesubject.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the injury is ischemicstroke.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the injury is traumatic braininjury.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the injury is spinal cordinjury.
 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the targeting portioncomprises an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds toAnnexin IV, a post-translational modification found on Annexin IV, or aphospholipid.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the complement inhibitoris selected from the group consisting of: Factor H, DAF, MCP, CD59,Crry, MAp44, and CR1.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein therehabilitation therapy comprises at least one therapy selected from thegroup consisting of cognitive and motor therapy.